Lake Superior | lake, North America | Britannica.com Lake Superior Jonathan Carver Lake Superior, most northwesterly and largest of the five Great Lakes of North America and one of the world’s largest bodies of fresh water. Bounded on the east and north by Ontario (Can.), on the west by Minnesota (U.S.), and on the south by Wisconsin and Michigan (U.S.), it discharges into Lake Huron at its eastern end via the St. Marys River. The lake is 350 mi (563 km) long (east to west), and its greatest width is 160 mi (258 km) from north to south. It has a mean surface elevation of 600 ft (180 m) above sea level and a maximum depth of 1,332 ft (406 m). The lake’s drainage basin is 49,300 sq mi (127,700 sq km), exclusive of its surface area of 31,700 sq mi (82,100 sq km).

The lake is so massive and its volume so large that, were it to be emptied at its current rate (with no compensating additions of water), it would take 191 years. Because of its large size (relative to watershed area) and the porous "dam" at its outlet, long-term lake-level fluctuations are much lower than in any of the other Great Lakes—generally less than 1 yd (1 m). Annual lake-level fluctuations are less than 12 in (30 cm). Great Lakes (lake system, North America): Lake Superior receives water from approximately 200 rivers, of which the largest are the Nipigon (from the north) and the St. Louis (from the west). Other principal rivers entering the north shore are the Pigeon, Kaministikwia, Pic, White, and Michipicoten. No large rivers enter the lake from the south; the middle-sized Sturgeon and Tahquamenon rivers are the main south-shore tributaries. Small amounts of water are also diverted into the lake from two places otherwise outside of the watershed—Long Lac and Ogoki—in order to accentuate hydroelectric-power generation at Sault Ste.

Marie, Mich., and Niagara Falls . The principal islands in the lake are Isle Royale , a U.S. national park; the Apostle Islands, near the Wisconsin shore; Michipicoten, on the east side; and St. Ignace, near the mouth of the Nipigon River (Can.). Shore of Lake Superior near the mouth of the Mosquito River in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, … © Terry Donnelly from TSW—CLICK/Chicago Similar Topics Salton Sea The coastline of Lake Superior is picturesque, particularly the north shore, which is indented by deep bays backed by high cliffs. Much of the coastal area is sparsely settled. Extensive forests, which dominate the watershed, are held in federal, state, provincial, and private timberlands. Seasonal hunting, sportfishing, and tourism form the basis for an important regional recreation industry. Valuable mineral deposits surround the lake. Iron ore was mined and smelted locally from 1848, and the opening (1855) of the Soo Locks ship canal on the St. Marys River facilitated iron mining in the region by allowing regular shipment to the lower lakes.

Subsequently, iron was extracted from many parts of the Lake Superior district, including the Marquette Range in Michigan and the Mesabi Range in Minnesota. Only taconite and other low-grade ores are now mined and enriched on site. Other minerals extracted include silver (near Thunder Bay , Ont.), nickel (north of the lake), and copper (south of the lake). In the late 1800s a small “gold rush” took place on its southern shore in Michigan. Lake Superior has many natural harbours, and improvements have created additional ports. The navigation season is generally about eight months long. At Thunder Bay, grain from the Canadian prairies is transferred from rail to ship. Iron ore is exported from Taconite Harbor and Two Harbors (Minn.) and from Marquette (Mich.). The harbour shared by Duluth (Minn.) and Superior (Wis.) is a shipping point for iron ore, grain, and flour. The principal ports along the lake’s south shore are Ashland (Wis.), Hancock and Houghton (both on a 25-mi-long canal across the Keweenaw Peninsula, Mich.), and Marquette (Mich.).

All boat traffic that leaves the lake for southern ports must pass through the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie. Britannica Stories 10 Largest Lakes in the World - WorldAtlas.com 10 Largest Lakes in the World These most massive of the world's natural lakes are found across the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The only "oceanic lake" on our list, the Caspian Sea spans a portion of the continental boundary between Asia and Europe. Lakes can be formed as a result of tectonic, volcanic, or even glacial activities, but intentional and accidental human activities also have created and destroyed many lakes. Looking at natural causes of lake formation, the fact that most of the world’s great lakes are in North America is by no coincidence. This has come to be because, in the distant past, the region was covered in glaciers and, as these glaciers move constantly, their removal of earth and deposition of melting ice water causes lakes to be formed. Nonetheless, it’s our duty as humans to protect and preserve the world’s lakes, as also serve as important habitats and water resources. While there’re a lot of noteworthy lakes on the planet, we have listed the 10 largest lakes in the world.

Lakes are bodies of water located completely inland, independent and separated from the divisions of oceans and seas. Lakes are larger and deeper when compared to the bodies of water we refer to as ponds, and many of them are fed and drained by streams and rivers. It’s estimated that there are around 2 million lakes across the globe. Some lakes lie in mountainous areas, while others are found at elevations near sea level. Lakes can either be freshwater lakes, or saline lakes. The world's largest lakes are not only known for their enormous size, but are visited often because of their rich flora and fauna as well, and the outdoor recreational activities and tours offered at many guarantee visitors to them very unique experiences indeed. While the passing seasons and years frequently cause the surface areas of several of these lakes to vary considerably, the listed lakes can be described as quite enormous at all times. The largest of these lakes covers a total surface area of no less than over 370 thousand square kilometers. That said, if you have ever wondered just where the world’s largest lakes are, we have narrowed your search down for you.

the following is a summary of the 10 largest natural lakes in the world in terms of total surface area, and each are truly majestic water bodies. Do note, however, that man-made lakes and reservoirs weren’t considered for the analysis that follows. 10. Great Slave Lake - 28,930 Square Kilometers Not only is The Great Slave Lake the 10th largest lake in the-world, it's also North America's deepest lake reaching 614 meters in depth, and the 2nd largest lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The lake is 480 km long, ranges from 19 to 109 km wide, and covers a surface-area of 28,930 square kilometers. The Hay River is the Primary inflow, while the main outflow is the Mackenzie River. Situated far north at a surface elevation of at around 156 meters, the Great Slave Lake’s surface is frozen through much of the year. 9.

Lake Malawi - 30,044 Square Kilometers Lake Malawi, also referred to as Lago Niassa in Mozambique and Lake Nyasa in Tanzania, is a very stunning African lake which makes our list. Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi form the basin countries of this lake, which is the southernmost lake inside the East African Rift Lake system. Along with being the 9th largest lake in the world with a total surface area of 30,044 square kilometers, the lake holds the distinction as being the 3rd largest and the 2nd deepest lake on the African Continent as well. With its deepest point reaching down 706 m, Lake Malawi has a length of 579 km and an average depth of 292 m. The primary inflow for Lake Malawi is the Ruhuhu River, and the primary outflow is the Shire River at its southern end.

Formed at a height of about 500 meters above sea level owing to the separation of tectonic plates, this meromictic lake (a lake with surface and deep-water layers that don’t intermix) is famous for being the lake that hosts the highest number of species of fish in the world, including almost 1,000 cichlid species. 8. Great Bear Lake - 31,080 Square Kilometers Located 200 km south of the Arctic Circle within the Northwest Territories of Canada, the Great Bear Lake is the fourth largest in North America. It is 320 km long, and up to 175 km wide. The deepest point of this glacial lake is 446 m, with an average depth of 71.7 m. The lake has 26 islands within it that cover a combined area of 759.3 km². Great Bear’s Primary outflow is the Great Bear River. The surface area of the lake is at a height of 186 m above sea level, and it’s known for unbearably cold temperature drops in the winter months, as exhibited in the frozen surface pictured above. 7.

Lake Baikal - 31,500 Square Kilometers Another lake from the Northern Hemisphere, Lake Baikal, also called “Nature’s Lake”, is a rift lake (Lakes formed due to movements within a tectonic rift zone) situated north of the Mongolian border in Russia’s southern Siberian region, between the Russian states of Buryat Republic and Irkutsk Oblast. Lake Baikal is the world’s largest ice-free freshwater lake, and contains around 20% of world’s total fresh water. It is also considered to be one of the ‘clearest’ lakes in the world. Along with being the 7th largest lake in the world, with a total surface area of 31,500 km², it also the world’s largest lake by volume, and the world’s deepest lake. It may even be one of the oldest lakes on our planet, with an age estimated to be no less than 25 million years.

The average depth of this lake is 744.4 m, with its deepest point being 1642 meters (rift lakes are typically deeper compared to non-rift ones, due to the depths of the rifts formed by tectonic movements which the waters fill). It is called the “Galapagos of Russia” owing to the isolation from humans and longstanding age that have made home to some of the most varied and unusual fresh water fauna in the world. The basin of this lake is situated entirely in Russia, and its primary sources of inflow are the Barguzin, Selenge and Upper Angara Rivers. It is drained entirely by the Angara River. 6. Lake Tanganyika - 32,893 Square Kilometers Lake Tanganyika is another of the African Great Lakes to make our list. As the world’s longest freshwater lake and among the largest in surface area, Lake Tanganyika is located amidst the highlands of Africa, with inflows from the Ruzizi, Kalamboo, and Malagarai Rivers. According to estimates, it is the 2nd deepest and largest freshwater lake in the world by volume.

With a basin extending into Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Tanganyika is the world’s 6th largest lake overall, with a total surface area of 32,893 km², and average depths of 570 m, with the deepest point being 1470 m below surface level. Like many large lakes, Lake Tanganyika was formed due to tectonic movements, and has a distance of 677 km at its longest, and a width of around 50 km at its widest. It’s known to be the 2nd deepest lake, after Lake Baikal, and is formed 642 m below sea level. 5. Lake Michigan - 58,016 Square Kilometers Lake Michigan is among the Great Lakes found in North America but, unlike the others, this lake is situated entirely within the United States. In fact, it’s the largest amongst all of the lakes that are found entirely within one single country.

Out of the Great Lakes, it's the 3rd largest by surface area, with a total area of 57,800 Km², and, by volume, it is the 2nd largest with 4,918 cubic km of water. It is 494 km long and 190 km wide, and has over 2,575 km of shoreline. The basin of Lake Michigan is conjoined to the basin of Lake Huron to the east. With an average depth of 85 m, the lake reaches down to 282 m at its deepest point. Like many other lakes in North America, Lake Michigan was formed by glacial movements, and is connected to the ocean by means of manmade waterways and canals, such as the Saint Lawrence and Great Lakes channels which were constructed to meet that purpose. 4. Lake Huron - 59,596 Square Kilometers Bounded between Michigan in the US on the west and by Ontario in Canada on the north and east, Lake Huron is another from among North America’s Great Lakes.

Huron can boast its prowess as the world’s 4th largest lake, and the 3rd largest fresh water lake, with a surface area covering 59,596 km². The lake is 331 km long and 295 km wide. The deepest point of the lake is 229 m, and its average depth of is 59 m. Like the other Great Lakes, Lake Huron was formed due to the movement of glaciers, and its main sources of inflow are Mackinac Strait and Saint Mary’s River. Another fun fact about Huron is that the lake is the home of Manitoulin Island: the Largest 'Lake Island’ in the world. 3. Lake Victoria - 69,485 Square Kilometers Lake Victoria holds the titles of Africa's largest lake, the world’s largest tropical lake, and as the 2nd largest fresh water lake, covering a total surface area of 69,485 square kilometers. Named after Queen Victoria, it is one of the Great African Lakes, and is fed by inflows from the Kagera River. The basin of the lake covers a large area of Africa.

This lake is relatively shallow, with an average depth of 40 m and a maximum depth of 84 m. Lake Victoria is bounded by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and has 84 islands within its body. 2. Lake Superior - 82,414 Square Kilometers Lake Superior is considered to be the world’s largest freshwater lake by area, the 3rd largest such body by volume, and the 2nd largest lake of any kind by overall area in the world. It is also the largest amongst all of the North American Great Lakes, with a total surface area of 82,414 square kilometers. At its furthest extent, Lake Superior is about 563 km long, 257 km wide, and attains a maximum depth of 406 m. Via the St. Mary’s River and the Soo Locks, water from Lake Superior flows outward into Lake Huron. Like the other Great Lakes, Lake Superior was formed due to glacial movements. 1.

Caspian Sea - 371,000 Square Kilometers The Caspian Sea has characteristics common to both seas and lakes and is listed as the world's largest lake, although it is not a freshwater lake. It is the world's largest enclosed inland water body, with a total surface area of 371,000 km², holding 78,200 cubic km of water by volume which is about 3.5 times more water by volume than all five of the Great Lakes combined. Besides this, it is also the 3rd-deepest lake in the-world. The Deepest part of the lake is 1,025 m, and the lake has a length of 1,199 km at its longest span, with an average depth of 211 m. The Caspian Sea is unique as the only Oceanic Lake on this list, with the rest being considered as Continental Lakes. This is because rather than being entirely over the continental crust, the Caspian Sea has an Oceanic Basin. It also is an “endorheic basin”, referring to it being a closed system with no outflows.

The Caspian Sea has Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia and Azerbaijan among its basin countries. The Volga, Ural, Terek, and Kura Rivers all serve as major sources of inflow feeding the Caspian Sea. Largest Lakes in the World Rank 10 Largest Lakes In The World - 10 Most Today 10 Largest Lakes In The World 1 Comment This is a list of the world’s largest lakes by area (you can also take a look at the world’s deepest lakes ): 1. Caspian Sea – 371,000 km2 (143,000 sq mi). The Caspian Sea is often regarded as the largest lake in the world, but it contains an oceanic basin rather than being entirely over continental crust. This makes it an oceanic lake and differs it from all the other lakes in this list which are continental lakes. The Caspian Sea is also the world’s third deepest lake . It has no outflows and is bounded by Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan The Caspian Sea – the largest lake in the world 2.

Lake Superior – 82,414 km2 (31,820 sq mi). Bounded by Canada and the United States, Lake Superior is the largest lake of the five Great Lakes of North America Largest Lakes In The World: Lake Superior 3. Lake Victoria – 69,485 km2 (26,828 sq mi). The largest lake in Africa. It is bounded by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Largest Lakes In The World: Lake Superior 4. Lake Huron – 59,600 km2 (23,000 sq mi). The second largest lake of the Great lakes. Lake Huron also contains Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest lake island Largest Lakes In The World: Lake Huron 5. Lake Michigan – 58,000 km2 (22,000 sq mi). Also one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is just slightly smaller than Lake Huron. It is also the world’s largest lake entirely within one country – the United States. Chicago and Milwaukee are located on the shore of Lake Michigan Chicago and Lake Michigan 6.

Lake Tanganyika – 32,893 km2 (12,700 sq mi). The lake is not only the 6th largest in the world, it is also the second deepest lake in the world – 1,470 m (4,820 ft) and the longest lake in the world – 676 km (420 mi). Lake Tanganyika is divided among four countries – Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Zambia Largest Lakes In The World: Lake Tanganyika 7. Lake Baikal – 31,500 km2 (12,200 sq mi). The lake is entirely within Russia. It is also the deepest lake in the world and the largest volume fresh water lake in the world Largest Lakes In The World: Lake Baikal 8. Great Bear Lake – 31,080 km2 (12,000 sq mi). The largest lake entirely within Canada and the fourth largest in North America.

Great Bear Lake is covered with ice from late November to July, at that time there is an ice crossing (ice road) to Deline which lies on the shore of the lake Largest Lakes In The World: Great Bear Lake 9. Lake Malawi – 30,044 km2 (11,600 sq mi). The lake is divided between Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. The lake is the second deepest lake in Africa and it has more fish species than any other lake on Earth Largest Lakes In The World: Lake Malawi 10. Great Slave Lake – 28,930 km2 (11,170 sq mi). This Canadian lake is also the 8th deepest lake in the world and the deepest lake in North America Largest Lakes In The World: Great Slave Lake Largest Lake in the World - Largest in the United States Largest Lake in the World & Largest Lake in the United States Caspian Sea map: Map of the Caspian Sea - World's largest landlocked water body (by surface area). Image by CIA. Which Lake is the World's Largest? There are a few different ways to define the world's largest lake.

Are you interested in the lake with the largest surface area? Or, the lake with the greatest water volume? And, do you want to consider saltwater seas in your comparison? "Which lake is the world's largest?" is not a simple question to answer. So, we will explore the question from a few different perspectives. World's Largest Lake (by volume): Lake Baikal is the world's largest freshwater lake in terms of volume. It contains about 5,521 cubic miles of water (23,013 cubic kilometers), or approximately 20% of Earth's fresh surface water. This is a volume of water approximately equivalent to all five of the North American Great Lakes combined. While Lake Baikal is extremely deep, its surface area is only about 12,248 square miles (31,722 square kilometers), putting it in seventh place worldwide in terms of surface area. Lake Baikal map: Map of Lake Baikal - World's largest freshwater lake (by volume). Image by CIA.

World's Largest Lake (by surface area): The salty Caspian Sea has the greatest surface area of any lake at 143,200 square miles (370,886 square kilometers). Lake Superior, on the United States/Canada border, is the named freshwater lake with the greatest surface area at 31,700 square miles (82,103 square kilometers). However, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron can technically be considered a single lake because they both have the same surface elevation and they are connected by the Mackinac Strait (which is not a river because the water does not have a consistent flow direction). So, Lake Michigan-Huron could be considered the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It has a total surface area of 45,410 square miles (117,611 square kilometers), which is significantly larger than Lake Superior. The total water volume in Lake Michigan-Huron, at 2,026 cubic miles (8,443 cubic kilometers), is much smaller than the volume of Lake Baikal. Great Lakes map: Map of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron - World's largest freshwater lakes (by surface area).

Image by CIA. Largest Lake in the United States (by volume): The largest lake in the United States on the basis of water volume is Lake Superior with a volume of 2,904 cubic miles (12,104 cubic kilometers). Largest Lake in the United States (by surface area): Lake Superior is the single named lake with the largest surface area in the United States at 31,700 square miles (82,103 square kilometers). However, as mentioned above, if you consider Lake Michigan and Lake Huron as a single lake, then Lake Michigan-Huron has the largest surface area at 45,410 square miles (117,611 square kilometers). Lake Huron | lake, North America | Britannica.com lake, North America Nottawasaga Bay Lake Huron, second largest of the Great Lakes of North America , bounded on the west by Michigan (U.S.) and on the north and east by Ontario (Can.). The lake is 206 mi (331 km) long from northwest to southeast, and its maximum width is 183 mi.

The total area of its drainage basin is 51,700 sq mi (133,900 sq km), exclusive of the lake surface area, which is 23,000 sq mi. Inflow into the lake is received from Lake Superior (via the St. Marys River), from Lake Michigan (via the Straits of Mackinac), and from numerous streams draining the adjacent lands. The lake discharges at its southern end into Lake Erie (via the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River). With a mean surface height of 577 ft (176 m) above sea level , the lake reaches a maximum depth of 750 ft. Many islands lie in the northeastern part of the lake, notably Manitoulin Island and many others in Georgian Bay and the North Channel . Scenic Mackinac Island and several others are located near the Straits of Mackinac in the northwest part of the lake, and Saginaw Bay indents the Michigan coast. Lumbering and fishing have been important economic activities in the Lake Huron region, and many resorts line the lake’s shores. As part of the St.

Lawrence Seaway, the lake supports heavy commercial traffic in iron ore, grain, and limestone. The average navigation season extends from early April to late December. Large tonnages of limestone are loaded at Rockport and Rogers City, Mich. Other harbours important in local trade include Cheboygan , Alpena, Bay City , and Harbor Beach (in Michigan) and Collingwood, Midland , Tiffin, Port McNicoll, and Depot Harbor on Georgian Bay (in Ontario). Frozen shoreline of Lake Huron, Michigan. Rod Planck—Tony Stone Images Similar Topics Lake Superior Lake Huron was the first of the Great Lakes to be seen by Europeans. The French explorers Samuel de Champlain and Étienne Brûlé travelled up the Ottawa and Mattawa rivers and reached Georgian Bay in 1615. Brûlé traversed the North Channel to the St. Marys River in 1618. A Jesuit mission was established among the Huron Indians at the Wye River (southeastern corner of Georgian Bay) in 1638 and named Sainte-Marie; but it was destroyed by the Iroquois Indians in 1649.

After that, the centre of French activities shifted northwestward to the settlement at Sault Ste. Marie on the St. Marys River. Jacques Marquette , the French missionary and explorer, founded a mission at St. Ignace on the Straits of Mackinac in 1671. Lake Huron - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The second largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron has an area of 23,000 square miles (59,570 square kilometers), including Georgian Bay. It is bounded on the south and west by Michigan and on the north and east by Ontario. The United States-Canada border passes through the lake. The lake is irregularly shaped, with Saginaw Bay indenting the coast of Michigan. The northeastern part of the lake is dotted with islands, especially in Georgian Bay. Its level and depth are about the same as those of Lake Michigan, with which it connects through the Straits of Mackinac. Its greatest depth is 750 feet (230 meters). The lake carries extensive ship traffic despite the mountainous waves that northeasters drive upon its western shore.

Article History Largest Lakes - Acres Lakes & Reservoirs - Lakelubbers Largest Lakes - Acres Lakes & Reservoirs Search and Sort Lakes Show only guest editable lakes Search Results Here are the 2074 lakes we have listed - compared by Largest Lakes - Acres. Note: For some lakes, "Largest Lakes - Acres" is unknown or does not apply, so this comparison may show fewer lakes than you originally selected. Suggest a new lake . Page 1 of 83. (Azerbaijan / Iran / Kazakhstan / Northern Caucases, Russia / Povolzhsky, Russia / Turkmenistan) 107,737,946 Also known as: Mazandaran Sea, Khazar Sea, Khvalyn Sea With the largest volume of any saltwater "lake" on earth, the Caspian Sea holds well over 62 billion acre-feet of saltwater. Many classify the Caspian Sea not as a lake, but as an inland sea. (There is no widely accepted definition of "lake," but most exclude bodies of saltwater.) Considered by many ...

(Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / Illinois, USA / Indiana, USA / Michigan, USA / Wisconsin, USA) 29,062,400 Lake Michigan and Lake Huron - two of North America's Great Lakes - are contiguous and they share the same elevation of 577 feet above sea level. They are connected by the five-mile-wide Straits of Mackinac. Hydrologically, this makes these "two lakes" a single lake. Some hydrologists designate the ... (Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / Michigan, USA / Minnesota, USA / Wisconsin, USA) 20,288,000 Skipping over state and country borders, Lake Superior, the largest, deepest, coldest, cleanest, least developed, and most pristine of the Great Lakes, reigns as the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. By volume, this 31,820 square mile colossus ranks fourth - a whopping 2,900 cubic ...

(African Great Lakes / Nyanza, Kenya / Western, Kenya / Kagera, Tanzania / Mara, Tanzania / Mwanza, Tanzania / Uganda) 17,000,350 Also known as: Victoria Nyanza, Victoria Ukerewe, Victoria Nalubaale Lake Victoria -- also known as Victoria Nyanza, Ukerewe, and Nalubaale -- rakes in the superlatives: it is the largest lake on the African continent by surface area, the largest tropical lake in the world, and the second largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Joined by five others, Lake ... (Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / Michigan, USA) 14,726,400 A glacial lake of epic proportions, Lake Huron is the second largest of the five Great Lakes by surface area, boasting 23,010 square miles and an incredible 3,825-mile shoreline. The massive lake is the third largest of the Great Lakes by water volume, containing 850 cubic miles of fresh water within ...

(Great Lakes / Illinois, USA / Indiana, USA / Michigan, USA / Wisconsin, USA) 14,336,000 As the only Great Lake nestled completely within the boundaries of the United States, Lake Michigan is the pride and joy of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The lake boasts a huge area of 22,400 square miles, making it the largest freshwater lake (by surface area) in the world to be contained ... (African Great Lakes / Burundi / Congo (DRC) / Kigoma, Tanzania / Rukwa, Tanzania / Zambia) 7,907,372 Located in the Western Great Rift Valley of Africa, the crystal clear water of Lake Tanganyika reaches across four countries - Burundi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. Stretching 420 miles, this lake is the longest freshwater lake in the world and has a maximum width of 31 miles ...

(Eastern Siberia, Russia) 7,782,336 Also known as: Lake Baykal, Sacred Sea, Pearl of Siberia, Blue Eye of Siberia, Galapagos of Russia Russia's national treasure, Lake Baikal, is the world's deepest lake and is our planet's largest freshwater lake measured by water volume. Its bottom is 4,215 feet below sea level. Lake Baikal contains about 1/5 of Earth's unfrozen surface freshwater. It is also one of the most biologically diverse ... (Northwest Territories, Canada) 7,698,074 Great Bear Lake is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is a natural lake, encircled by wilderness, and the largest lake completely in Canada. Great Bear Lake is on the Arctic Circle and ice-covered eight months out of the year. With an area of over 7 million acres and more than 26 islands, ...

(African Great Lakes / Malawi / Mozambique / Iringa, Tanzania / Mbeya, Tanzania / Ruvuma, Tanzania) 7,314,319 Also known as: Lake Nyasa, Lake Nyassa, Lake Niassa, Lago Niassa Located in the East African Rift Valley system between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, Lake Malawi -- also known as Lake Nyasa, Lake Nyassa, Lake Niassa, and Lago Niassa -- is the third-largest lake in Africa at over 7,314,319 acres. It also has the distinction of being the second deepest lake in Africa ... (Northwest Territories, Canada) 6,721,280 Great Slave Lake is the fifth-largest lake (by acreage) in North America and, following Great Bear Lake, is the second-largest in Canada. A natural lake, it is located in south-central Northwest Territories (NWT). Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Great Slave Lake is frozen about five and a half ...

(Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / New York, USA / Pennsylvania, USA / Michigan, USA / Ohio, USA) 6,261,500 Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes of North America, straddles the borders of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and the Canadian province of Ontario. The lake is named after the Native American tribe that inhabited its shores before being killed off by the Iroquois League for aiding their enemy, ... (Manitoba, Canada) 5,867,520 Lake Winnipeg is a long (271 miles) somewhat shallow outdoor enthusiast's dream. It's located some 35 miles north of Winnipeg, Manitoba and is a natural favorite for Canadian residents as well as visitors. Lake Winnipeg's beautiful beaches, provincial parks and uncluttered waters afford a wealth of ... (Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / New York, USA) 4,697,600 Lake Ontario, one of the world's five Great Lakes, weaves over state and country borders, delighting Americans, Canadians, and visiting tourists with its deep, clear, clean waters.

Proudly home to a staggering 4,700,000 acres (7,340 square miles), Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, the ... (Antarctica) 4,500,000 January 2013 Update: The Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute announced that the Russian team reached lake water ice on January 10, 2013, successfully extracting a clean water sample from the lake. The scientific community eagerly awaits analysis of the reportedly untainted core sample, in ... 4,481,238 Also known as: Lake Laatokka, Ladozhskoye Ozero Located 25 miles north of St. Petersburg, Russia's Lake Ladoga is the largest freshwater body in Europe with a surface area of 4,481,238 acres. The amazing lake stretches for 136 miles across northwestern Russia and has an average width of 51 miles. There are 660 islands in the lake and over 32 rivers ...

(South Australia, Australia) 2,394,451 Lake Eyre is the largest lake in Australia and the world's saltiest lake. Located in South Australia, Lake Eyre draws tourists due to its unusual patterns of water capacity. The salty lake is usually completely dry and void of water, leaving behind a dry desert-like basin that is filled with salt. Discovered ... 2,096,000 Also known as: Volta Lake or Volta Reservoir Lake Volta, the world's fourth largest reservoir, is located in the west African nation of Ghana. Known to locals as Volta Lake, it was built to provide electricity, fresh water and economic opportunities to the people of Ghana. The lake borders the regions of Volta, Central, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, and ... (Bolivia / Peru) 2,068,480 Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia is the largest freshwater lake by volume in South America, Lake Titicaca. With an elevation of 12,507 feet, this million year old lake is also one the world's highest commercially navigable lakes. All along the shores are native villages where traces of their ...

(Boaco, Nicaragua / Chontales, Nicaragua / Granada, Nicaragua / Rio San Juan, Nicaragua / Rivas, Nicaragua) 2,013,909 Also known as: Lake Cocibolca, Lake Granada, Lago Cocibolca, Lago Granada Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, is so large that it has many sea or ocean characteristics. Lago Cocibolca, the native name for the freshwater lake that means "sweet sea," boasts large waves, heavy storms that cause navigation problems, nothing but more water at its horizon, and ... (Alberta, Canada / Saskatchewan, Canada) 1,939,776 Lake Athabasca is a 1,939,776-acre lake with a maximum depth of 410 feet making it the largest and deepest lake in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Approximately 30% of the lake lies within Alberta and the remainder is located in Saskatchewan. Lake Athabasca is a fly-in lake meaning the only way to get ...

(Ethiopia / Eastern, Kenya / Rift Valley, Kenya) 1,667,961 Also known as: Lake Rudolf Lake Turkana, located in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya and stretching into Northern Ethiopia, is said to be the world's largest permanent desert lake. With a hot and arid climate and location in the middle of the desert, this lake is usually only visited as a stopover during a safari. Originally ... Great Lakes | Map | Picture | Five Lakes | Lake Superior | Ontario | Erie | Huron | Michigan Hate 0 The Great Lakes are a group of five huge freshwater lakes between the United States and Canada . Here's the 411 you need on the greatest lakes of all. Great Lake - Lake Superior Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world . It's 31,820 square miles (82,414 square km), 350 miles (563 km) long and 160 miles (257 km) at its widest part. Lake Superior is bordered on the west by Minnesota, on the north and east by Ontario, Canada, and on the south by Michigan and Wisconsin.

Lake Superior is also the deepest of the Great Lakes; it's 1,302 feet (397 m) at it's deepest! Lake Superior drains into Lake Huron through the St. Mary's River and receives the waters of many small streams. The water in Lake Superior is generally less polluted than the other Great Lakes - a US-Canadian pact was established to prevent pollution in 1972. Great Lake - Lake Erie Lake Erie is the fourth largest (or second smallest) of the great lakes. It's 9,940 square miles (25,745 square km), 241 miles (388 km) long and 57 miles (92 km) wide at its widest point. It's bordered on the north by Ontario, Canada , on the east by New York , on the south by Pennsylvania and Ohio, and on the west by Michigan. It is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, with a maximum depth of 210 feet (64 m), making it the only one with a floor above sea level. Lake Erie is part of the Great Lakes-St.

Lawrence Seaway system and is linked to Lake Huron and to Lake Ontario by the Niagara River , which is Lake Erie's only natural outlet. Great Lake - Lake Huron Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes. It's 23,010 square miles (59,596 square km), 206 miles (332 km) long and 183 miles (295 km) at its greatest width. Lake Huron sits between Ontario, Canada and Michigan. At it's deepest , Lake Huron is 750 feet (229 m). Lake Huron receives the waters of Lake Superior through the St. Mary's River and those of Lake Michigan and drains into Lake Erie. Great Lake - Lake Ontario Lake Ontario is the smallest and lowest of the Great Lakes. It's 7,540 square miles (19,529 square km), 193 miles (311 km) long and 53 miles (85 km) at its widest. Lake Superior sits between Ontario, Canada and New York. Lake Ontario is mainly fed by the waters of Lake Erie, which are transported via the Niagara River.

Lake Ontario drains into the St. Lawrence River. Great Lake - Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes and the only one entirely within the United States . It's 22,178 square miles (57,441 square km), 307 miles (494 km) long and 120 miles (193 km) at its widest point. Lake Michigan is bordered by Michigan (duh), Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The lake is 923 feet (281 m) deep. It's only natural outlet is the The Straits of Mackinac, which connect the lake with Lake Huron. Many islands are found in the northern part of the lake. Related Stories Search Results - Lakelubbers Show only guest editable lakes Search Results Here are the 1360 lakes we have listed within USA - compared by Deepest Lakes. Note: For some lakes, "Deepest Lakes" is unknown or does not apply, so this comparison may show fewer lakes than you originally selected. Suggest a new lake . Page 1 of 55.

(Oregon, USA) 1,943 Crater Lake is on the crest of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon, about 100 miles from the ocean, and is the centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake's gorgeous deep blue water highlights its amazing depth of 1943 feet - the deepest lake in the United States and seventh deepest freshwater ... (California, USA / Nevada, USA) 1,645 Tucked into the Sierra Nevada Mountains and straddling the California-Nevada state line, Lake Tahoe is one of the most famous lakes in the United States. It's the second deepest lake in the country (only Crater Lake in Oregon is deeper), and was home to the area's 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics. ... (Washington, USA) 1,486 From the Salish Indian word for "deep notch", Lake Chelan is the third deepest lake in the United States with a maximum depth of almost 1500 feet. Lake Chelan is long and narrow, stretching more than 50 miles in length with an average width of one mile. This north-central Washington lake nestled within ...

(Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / Michigan, USA / Minnesota, USA / Wisconsin, USA) 1,332 Skipping over state and country borders, Lake Superior, the largest, deepest, coldest, cleanest, least developed, and most pristine of the Great Lakes, reigns as the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. By volume, this 31,820 square mile colossus ranks fourth - a whopping 2,900 cubic ... 1,152 Also known as: Albeni Falls Dam Set in a valley carved by glaciers from Canada, Lake Pend Oreille (pond-a-RAY) is surrounded by mountains with altitudes exceeding 6,000 feet. It's 94,600 surface acres - 148 square miles - plunge to depths reaching 1,152 feet, making it one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in the western United ... (Alaska, USA) 1,056 Lake Clark is located about 150 miles southwest of Anchorage in southern Alaska. The lake spans 128 square miles, making it the seventh* largest freshwater lake in the state.

The lake is part of the 4 million acre Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. This park is often referred to as the "essence ... (Alaska, USA) 950 Alaska has 17,243 square miles of inland water including both lakes and rivers. The area of inland water is greater than the land mass of Massachusetts and Vermont combined. At 73,437 acres* Tustumena Lake near Kasilof is Alaska's eighth largest lake and the largest lake on the Kenai Peninsula. ... (Great Lakes / Illinois, USA / Indiana, USA / Michigan, USA / Wisconsin, USA) 923 As the only Great Lake nestled completely within the boundaries of the United States, Lake Michigan is the pride and joy of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The lake boasts a huge area of 22,400 square miles, making it the largest freshwater lake (by surface area) in the world to be contained ...

(Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / Illinois, USA / Indiana, USA / Michigan, USA / Wisconsin, USA) 923 Lake Michigan and Lake Huron - two of North America's Great Lakes - are contiguous and they share the same elevation of 577 feet above sea level. They are connected by the five-mile-wide Straits of Mackinac. Hydrologically, this makes these "two lakes" a single lake. Some hydrologists designate the ... 900 Also known as: Lake Iliamna Iliamna Lake, also known as Lake Iliamna, is the largest lake in Alaska and the second largest freshwater lake contained wholly within the United States (after Lake Michigan). This glacial lake in southwest Alaska is often referred to as an inland sea, stretching out about 80 miles long, 25 miles wide, ... (Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / New York, USA) 802 Lake Ontario, one of the world's five Great Lakes, weaves over state and country borders, delighting Americans, Canadians, and visiting tourists with its deep, clear, clean waters.

Proudly home to a staggering 4,700,000 acres (7,340 square miles), Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, the ... (Alaska, USA) 800 Little known and seldom seen, Katmai Crater Lake is an example of nature's handiwork at its most impressive. Located on the Alaskan Peninsula within Katmai Park and Wilderness, the crater lake is young by geological standards: The caldera was created as a result of the eruption of lava from Novarupta ... (Ontario, Canada / Great Lakes / Michigan, USA) 750 A glacial lake of epic proportions, Lake Huron is the second largest of the five Great Lakes by surface area, boasting 23,010 square miles and an incredible 3,825-mile shoreline. The massive lake is the third largest of the Great Lakes by water volume, containing 850 cubic miles of fresh water within ... 695 Also known as: Oroville Reservoir Lake Oroville, snuggled into the Sierra Nevada Foothills about 75 miles north of Sacramento, is one of northern California's favorite playgrounds.

Boasting the tallest earthen dam in the United States -- 770 feet -- the reservoir was built by the California Department of Water Resources on the Feather ... (Idaho, USA) 650 Dworshak Reservoir is an excellent outdoor recreation site with a great water playground of over 19,000 acres. Located in northern Idaho near the town of Orofino, it extends into the Bitterroot Mountains for beautiful scenic vistas. While log handling facilities exist today, Dworshak Reservoir is primarily ... 624 Also known as: Crescent Lake Lake Crescent is a majestic glacial lake located at the northern tip of the Olympic National Forest in Clallam County, Washington. Glaciers during the last ice age carved a deep valley in the Olympic Mountains through which Indian Creek flowed. A massive landslide about 8,000 years ago dammed the creek, ... (New York, USA) 618 The Finger Lakes Region of New York is one of the nation's favorite recreation and vacation destinations. The series of eleven long, narrow lakes are the result of ancient small lakes and stream valleys re-carved by the last glacier to cover the area. Lying north to south, these unique parallel lakes ...

(New York, USA) 618 Seneca Lake, one of western New York's famous Finger Lakes, is the largest lake to be entirely contained within the borders of the state. Seneca Lake stretches out over a vast 43,343 acres and 38 long miles, with Watkins Glen on the south shore and Geneva on the north shore. With a maximum depth of ... 607 Also known as: The Deep, Stewart Lake (historical) One of the best-kept secret lake destinations in Northwestern Wyoming is spectacular Fremont Lake. Formed by nature when glaciers gouged out a deep trench along the western slope of the Wind River Mountain Range, the lake was dammed by glacial deposits far back in pre-history. A full eleven miles long ... (Alaska, USA) 600 Becharof Lake, the second* largest lake in Alaska, is located on the Alaskan Peninsula. Stretching an incredible 290,000 acres, the lake measures 35 miles long and 15 miles wide and reaches depths of as much as 600 feet. Deep in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Becharof Lake offers its visitors an unforgettable ...

(Arizona, USA / Nevada, USA) 589 Lake Mead is the USA's largest man-made reservoir in amount of water it can hold. Although Lake Powell is marginally larger in acreage at full-pond, Lake Mead holds more water by volume and thus is considered the larger of the two. In the size of their surfaces, both are dwarfed by Lake Sakakawea and ... 565 Also known as: New Melones Reservoir Gently placed into the central Sierra Nevada Mountains near Sonora in Calaveras County, New Melones Lake holds the title of fourth largest reservoir by volume in California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the New Melones Dam and powerhouse between 1966 and 1979 for flood control on the ... (Arizona, USA / Utah, USA) 560 Lake Powell is located in one of Southern Utah's most picturesque red-rock desert areas and in Arizona's Navajo Indian Reservation. It is one of the USA's most scenic reservoirs. At "full pond" (normal water level) it is the second-largest man-made reservoir in the USA by volume - but drought can reduce ...

(Alaska, USA) 541 One of the largest glacial lakes in the Kenai River System, Kenai Lake is a beautiful lake in a road-accessible area of Alaska. The backdrop of the majestic Kenai Mountains and its proximity to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge make Kenai Lake a great wilderness getaway. Boomerang shaped Kenai ... Superior Facts | Minnesota Sea Grant (from The Song of Hiawatha and The Wreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald ) Lake Superior ... is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume (Lake Baikal in Siberia and Lake Tanganyika in East Africa contain more water). could hold all the water in the other Great Lakes, plus THREE MORE Lake Eries. connects the heart of North America to a global economy. is remarkably clean and cold. is a geological newcomer (only about 10,000 years old). is exhibiting a trend in summer surface temperature. Per decade since 1980, surface water temperature in summer has increased about 2 °F (1 °C), while regional air temperature has increased 1 °F (0.5 °C).

is managed through a binational agreement involving Canada and the U.S., and by the Province of Ontario and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. has rip currents that are dangerous to swimmers. holds 10% of the world's fresh surface water that is not frozen in a glacier or ice cap. Created by Fire and Ice 1 billion years ago: Molten basalt erupts from the Mid-Continent Rift. The rifting lasts for about 20 million years. 950 million years ago: The rifting produces a blanket of basalt up to 10 mi (16 km) thick that slowly sinks into the earth creating the Lake Superior basin. Ancient rivers deposit the rocks that make up the Apostle Islands, Bayfield Peninsula, and Pictured Rocks National Park. 500 million years ago: The area stabilizes. 2.5 million years ago: Ice Age! Ice sculpts the basin into its present shape through glacial and interglacial periods. 11,000 years ago: Glacial Lake Duluth, the precursor to Lake Superior, forms as the ice sheet retreats northeastward. The lake's torrential outflow near present-day Duluth carves the St.

Croix River Valley and feeds the Mississippi River. 10,000 years ago: During the retreat of glacial ice, western Lake Superior fluctuates, rising 500 ft (152 m) above or falling 250 ft (76 m) below its current level. Eventually, the St. Marys River becomes Superior's outflow, and the water level eases to its present state. Paleo-Indian people move into the Lake Superior region. Today: The basin continues to spring back after being squashed by the last glacier. This "isostatic rebound" is greatest along Canadian shores, which are rising about 18 in (46 cm) per century. Lake levels continue to fluctuate. Water Water level: depends on precipitation and the season. Typically, the lake is just over a foot (32 cm) higher in September than it is in March ( NOAA's Great Lakes Water Level Observations ). The annual average is 601.8 ft (183.4 m) above sea level. Water budget: reflects about a 4-foot (125-cm) exchange of incoming and outgoing water each year.

Superior has a relatively small watershed (49,300 mi2, 127,700 km2) for its size. This watershed is laced with streams that feed Lake Superior's 848 tributaries. Water has basically two ways out of Lake Superior: a right exit or up. Lake Superior spills toward the Atlantic Ocean through the Soo Locks on the St. Marys River. This eastern exit is about 600 ft (180m) above sea level. Contrary to what one might guess, Lake Superior evaporates fastest from October to February when dry cold air from Canada moves over the warmer surface of Lake Superior soaking up water like a sponge. Seiches mask Superior's tiny tide. Seiches slosh through Lake Superior's basin after wind or high barometric pressure pushes water to one side and then quits pushing. In Lake Superior, seiches take roughly 8 hours to cross the basin and come back again, sometimes changing nearshore water levels by more than 3 ft (91 cm). Water Temperature: exceptionally cold (average 40 °F (4 °C)) but swimmable in summer when the surface water warms. Productivity: low.

Since glaciers carved away much of the soil, Lake Superior is relatively unproductive (oligotrophic). With little in the way of plant nutrients and large amounts of dissolved oxygen, some scientists have called Lake Superior "a distilled water ice bath." Underwater Visibility: superb, sometimes exceeding 75 ft (23 m). Chemical Pollutants: Most (such as mercury, dioxin, and PCBs) fall from the atmosphere with precipitation or dust. Even though the concentrations of these toxins are relatively low compared to the other Great Lakes, they can accumulate through the aquatic food web and harm top predators, like bald eagles and humans. Climate Climate is the set of meteorological conditions that prevail in a region over time. Lake Superior's climate reflects its position on the planet and, to a smaller degree, the heat storage capacity of all the water it contains. It's in the cool part of North America's temperate zone where summers average about 70 °F (21 °C) and winters involve snow, parkas, and temperatures well below 0 °F (-18 °C). Of the roughly 30 inches (76 cm) of precipitation that hits the lake each year, most falls between May and October.

Collisions between belts of low and high pressure from the Gulf of Mexico and Canada generate the region's wildest storms and blizzards. Scientists report that Lake Superior is responding to a global climate trend as clearly as anywhere on Earth. They've documented: A decline in ice cover (Down by 79% since the 1970s). An increase in surface water temperatures (Summer water surface temperatures have risen about 2 °F (1 °C) per decade since the 1980s). Faster winds (Wind speeds have increased over the lake by nearly 5% per decade since the 1980s). The regional trend is toward warmer temperatures, and increases in extreme storms and droughts. Winter and spring are showing signs of becoming wetter while summer and fall are showing signs of becoming drier. Read more about Lake Superior's climate Weather Weather is the state of the atmosphere with respect to current temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloudiness. Lake Superior can modify the daily weather through a phenomenon known as "lake effect." Compared to inland temperatures, shoreline temperatures can be noticeably warmer in winter and much cooler in summer. This is because water is slower to absorb and release heat than land.

The "lake effect" can also super-size storms by adding moisture and speed to wind passing over the lake. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is typically buried under six times more snow each year than downtown Duluth because of the lake effect. In summer, a dome of high pressure can form over the lake pushing approaching storms to the southeast. The dangerous "Gales of November" occur in autumn when low-pressure systems pass over the lake. Wind speeds can easily reach 50 mph and gusts can exceed 100 mph. Fog hides Duluth under a heavy blanket for 52 days in an average year (by comparison, Minneapolis averages 11 days). Fog forms when temperature and dewpoint differ by less than 4 °F (2.5 °C). As the moisture in warm air condenses over the colder surface waters, advection fog rolls into Lake Superior's coastal communities. Sea smoke occurs when seriously cold air moves over relatively warmer water during winter. Shipping From mid-March to mid-January the Soo Locks are open and Lake Superior supports an active maritime industry. The "Great Lakes Bulk Cargo Capital" of Duluth/Superior is one of the busiest inland ports in the United States.

Each year the port handles about 1,000 ships carrying 42-million tons (38 metric tons) worth $1.9 billion. The largest of these ships, the lakers, are typically 1,000 ft (300 m) long and 105 ft (32 m) wide. They can't fit through the Welland Canal, so they will never ply the oceans. Mainly they carry coal and iron ore. Salties are ocean-going vessels. About 100 times per year a saltie makes the seven-day, 16-lock, 2,342-mile trip from the Atlantic Ocean through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway to the Duluth/Superior Harbor to pick up grain, to drop off wind-energy equipment, or to conduct other business. Recreation Tourism is one of the economic mainstays of the Lake Superior region, which is home to over 600,000 people (474,150 Americans and 155,675 Canadians).

An abundance of festivals, concerts, events, and unique dining and shop-ping opportunities create a cheerful atmosphere, particularly in Lake Superior's two metro areas: Duluth, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Summer brings boaters, sightseers, campers, kayakers, anglers, and even swimming sunbathers to the shore. Beachgoers should know how to escape from the rip currents that can form along Lake Superior's south shore. Known for its clean water, Lake Superior's water is a Mid-west SCUBA diving epicenter for sunken ships. In June, runners from around the world vie to win "Grandma's Marathon." Winter excites skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and ice fishing fans. The Bayfield sea caves near the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin are worth a trek during years with enough ice cover. Every January, thousands gather along Minnesota's North Shore to cheer on the dogs and the mushers during the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, a 400-mile journey that re-traces part of the region's history. All recreationists, but especially those who venture out in winter, should dress and behave to avoid hypothermia .

Lake Superior Fish Non-native, non-reproducing fish species: 2 (American eel and Atlantic salmon) Native Species Lake Superior has bragging rights when it comes to fish. Although it produces far fewer fish than the other Great Lakes, it supports a robust suite of native species. Sustainable management practices have fostered a modern and commercially important fisheries industry after overfishing and the introduction of invasive species jeopardized it during the mid-1900s. Commercially caught fish include ciscoes (lake herring), chubs (deepwater ciscoes), lake whitefish, lake trout, and the non-native rainbow smelt. Lake Superior also supports a strong charter fishing industry and sportfishing opportunities focused on several species of salmon and trout. Ciscoes were called lake herring by Scandinavian settlers, who thought they resembled ocean herring. Particularly during the spawning run in November, commercial fishermen harvest ciscoes for fillets, gefilte fish, and caviar destined for national and international markets. Ciscoes are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and are a regional smokehouse and restaurant favorite. Lake whitefish live in deep waters mainly along Lake Superior's South Shore.

Lake whitefish are prized for their delicate fillets and, like ciscoes, are lower on the food chain than lake trout and consequentially contain fewer bioaccumulative toxins. Lake trout have made an astonishing recovery since their near-extinction in the late 1960s. If it weren't for the sea lamprey control program run by Canada and the U.S., Lake Superior's lean lake trout would not be on regional menus or available for sport fishing. The most abundant form of lake trout is the deep-dwelling siscowet. When commercial fishing was in its heyday, lake sturgeon were hard-hit. Today, commercial harvest is prohibited and First Nations are only allowed to use them for ceremonial purposes. Lake sturgeon primarily swim in larger Canadian tributaries but restoration efforts in the St. Louis estuary seem to be paying off with the sighting of fry in 2011. Non-native Species Non-native species have influenced the greatest of the Great Lakes since the early 1900s when rainbow trout and brown trout were intentionally introduced. From parasites to plants to fish, 97 non-native species are living in Lake Superior . An additional 24 non-native plants grow along Lake Superior's shores.

Currently, the worst Lake Superior offender is the sea lamprey . In vampirish fashion, they attach to large fish and suck their blood and body fluids out. They can consume roughly 40 lbs (18 kg) of fish in 12 to 18 months. Sea lamprey arrived in the upper Great Lakes once the Welland Canal allowed them to swim around Niagara Falls. The U.S. and Canada spend about $16 million annually to keep them in check in the Great Lakes. Zebra mussels and their cousins, quagga mussels, don't plague Lake Superior like they do the other Great Lakes. However, they occupy the Duluth Superior Harbor along with dozens of species that were likely brought into the Great Lakes through ballast water. During the 1970s, introduced rainbow smelt were the most abundant fish in Lake Superior. Fisheries experts aren't sure exactly why, but the smelt population crashed in 1979 and has stayed low ever since. Undaunted, smelters still brave cold Superior nights to net them as an annual rite of spring. Non-native species can damage the environment as well as local economies. Do your part to prevent the spread of non-native species.

Don't release animals and plants into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water. Be sure to clean your boat and gear before leaving a lake, river or stream. Terms to Know Seiche: (pronounced "saysh") Also called a slosh. These "free standing-wave oscillations" rocking back and forth across lakes are created by wind or air pressure. You can set up a similar motion in your bathtub by sliding back and forth. Oligotrophic: Very unproductive; lakes low in nutrients and algae, usually very transparent with abundant oxygen. Soo Locks: A set of 5 locks on the St. Marys River separating Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Lakers: They're not a basketball team! They're ships designed especially for transport on the Great Lakes. Salties: Ocean-going vessels from all over the world. Lake Effect: The ability of a large lake to modify the local weather. Lake Superior Agate: Minnesota's official state gemstone. Quartz stones banded with rich reds and oranges (derived from iron ore in the soil) formed in the gas pockets of lava flows. Glaciers dispersed them in the last Ice Age.

Taconite: Sedimentary rock mined for its iron content of 25-30%. It is an important source of raw material for making steel. Text adapted from: Habermann, R., S. Moen, and E. Stykel. 2012. Superior Facts . Minnesota Sea Grant (pub. S25), Duluth, Minn. References: "About Our Great Lakes: Lake By Lake Profiles." 2012. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environmental Research Labratory. (accessed February 17, 2012). "Billions in benefits from Great Lakes-Seaway Shipping." 2011. North Star Port, 6-7. Blanken, Peter D., Christopher Spence, Newell Hedstrom, and John D. Lenters. 2011. "Evaporation from Lake Superior: 1. Physical controls and processes." Journal of Great Lakes Research, 707-716. "GLERL Tech Reports." 2012. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. (accessed March 6, 2012).

Henson, Bonnie L., Daniel T. Kraus, Michael J. McMurtry, and David N. Ewert. 2010. Islands of Life: A Biodiversity and Conservation Atlas of the Great Lakes Islands, 20. Nature Conservancy of Canada. 154pp. Hinkel, K. M., and F.E. Nelson. 2012. "Spatial and temporal aspects of the lake effect on the southern shore of Lake Superior." (accessed January 31, 2012). Hunter, T. S. and T. E. Croley, II. 1993. Great Lakes Monthly Hydrologic Data. NOAA Data Report ERL GLERL, National Technical Information Service. (accessed February 17, 2012).

Question: In terms of area, which is the second largest lake in North America after Lake Superior?
Answer: Lake Huron