Imagine standing beside one of the largest lakes in the USA. What if I told you there’s a lake in the USA where the water disappears in certain spots? Or one with an unexplained creature similar to the Loch Ness Monster? Not only this but imagine a lake where the remains of the submerged towns and settlements can be seen.
So, are you and your family planning for a lakeside weekend? Are you somebody who gets curious and intrigued about the secrets of nature? Do you want to know the mysterious reasons behind these rarely-known facts?
Wouldn’t it be fun to get away from the world’s problems and spend some time with Mother Nature?
If you answer yes, this is the blog you want to read! We are going to look at the largest lakes in the USA. We have categorized them based on their surface areas and will study them closely based on their location, maximum depth, and an interesting fact.
Top 10 Largest Lakes in the USA
- Lake Superior
Location: Located on the border between the United States and Canada
Surface Area: 31,700 square miles
Maximum Depth: 1,333 feet
Have you ever heard of the word “reef”? If not then a reef is a chain of rocks or a ridge of material art at or near the ocean’s surface. When these reefs come together and form a group, it becomes a reef system.
Additionally, Lake Superior is not just one of the largest lakes in the USA. It is home to one of the largest freshwater reef systems in the world. These are located near the Keweenaw Peninsula
in Michigan and are made of hard bedrock ridges. This system provides crucial habitat for fish species like whitefish or lake trout.
Moreover, Lake Superior hides a huge forest in its cold, clear forest. Located near the shorelines of the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, this forest is estimated to be nearly 8,000 to 10,000 years old. Hence, these are the topmost reasons to visit Lake Superior.
Interesting Facts:
- Titled “Superior” because it claims to be the largest freshwater lake in the world by its surface area outside of the Great Lakes system.
- Holds 10% of the world’s surface freshwater.
- It would take 191 years to empty the lake at its current rate because it is massive and has a large volume.
- Lake Huron
Location: Borders the states of Michigan and Ontario, Canada
Surface Area: 23,000 square miles
Maximum Depth: 206 feet
Around 9,000 years ago, there was a land bridge called the Alpena-Amberley Ridge. It connected Michigan with Ontario. This ridge also provided a migration route for caribou and Paleo-Indians who hunted them. The fun fact is that the Alpena-Amberley Ridge is submerged inside Lake Huron.
Furthermore, being one of the largest lakes in the USA, Lake Huron is home to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This sanctuary is known for protecting the most significant shipwrecks in North America. It contains over 200 shipwrecks, dating back to the 19th century, and covers an area of almost 4,300 square miles.
Interesting Facts:
- Home to the world’s largest freshwater island – Manitoulin Island.
- Water moves through Lake Huron with a retention time of only 22 years. This is faster than the other Great Lakes.
- First Great Lake to be seen by the Europeans.
- Lake Michigan
Location: Borders Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin
Surface Area: 22,300 square miles
Maximum Depth: 923 feet
In 2007, a series of stone structures was discovered at the bottom of Lake Michigan. It was referred to as “Lake Michigan’s Stonehenge”. These stones are located near the Grand Traverse Bay and include a boulder with a carving that resembles a mastodon. Mastodon is an animal that went extinct around 10,000 years ago.
Additionally, Lake Michigan is not just one of the largest lakes in the USA. Its shoreline is home to the largest freshwater dunes in the world. Namely – The Indiana Dunes National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They provide a unique and diverse ecosystem and are famous for sandboarding, hiking, and enjoying the scenic views of Lake Michigan.\
Interesting Facts:
- The only Great Lake entirely within the USA.
- Jean Nicolet, a French explorer was the first European to see Lake Michigan in 1634.
- The Northern end of the lake is filled with all the islands. The largest of these islands is Beaver Island, Michigan.
- Lake Erie
Location: Borders Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario, Canada
Surface Area: 9,910 square miles
Maximum Depth: 210 feet
Lake Erie is a fascinating destination for maritime archeologists and divers. This is because it has one of the highest concentrations of shipwrecks. The number quite ranges from 1,400 to over 2,000 lying beneath its surface. One of the most famous is the schooner Sandusky, which sank in 1856. It was discovered back in good condition in 1989. In addition, the shallow depth, the treacherous weather, and numerous reefs make Lake Erie one of the largest lakes in the USA.
Furthermore, this lake experiences algal blooms, specifically in its western basin. However, these blooms are dangerous as they contain phosphorus. One such severe occurrence occurred in 2014 affecting nearly half a million people. This led to a drinking water crisis in Ohio and Toledo.
Efforts to reduce this phosphorus runoff are ongoing.
Interesting Facts:
- Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes.
- The eleventh-largest lake, globally.
- Has a retention time of 2.6 years, which is the shortest of all the Great Lakes.
- Lake Ontario
Location: Borders the states of New York and Ontario, Canada
Surface Area: 7,340 square miles
Maximum Depth: 802 feet
Lake Ontario’s western end is home to one of the busiest and largest freshwater ports worldwide – “The Port of Hamilton”. This port handles a wide range of cargo, including agricultural products, steel, and petroleum. Additionally, it is a critical hub for transportation and trade in the Great Lakes region. This eventually connects inland North America to global markets.
Lake Ontario is one of the largest lakes in the USA. But do you know that Lake Ontario was used as a training ground for pilots of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Forces? Yes, that’s right. Not just this but because of it, the wreck of a Curtis SB2B Helldiver, a World War II-era dive bomber was discovered in this lake in 1955.
Interesting Facts:
- The only Great Lake with an outlet that flows over Niagara Falls.
- The easternmost of the Great Lakes and the smallest in surface area.
- The thirteenth-largest lake in the world.
- Great Salt Lake
Location: Utah
Surface Area: 950 square miles (varies depending on water levels)
Maximum Depth: 33 feet
As the name suggests, the Great Salt Lake is one of the largest lakes in the USA. But there has to be a specific reason behind it, correct?
Firstly, one of the unique features of this lake is that the remote northern part hosts one of the largest breeding colonies of American white pelicans. These are large aquatic soaring birds from the order Pelacaniformes. The surrounding saline waters and the island’s isolation create a haven for these birds and protect them from predators.
Secondly, it consists of rock-like formations built by cyanobacteria. These are extensive microbialite structures. They are similar to stromatolites, making them one of the oldest evidence of life on Earth. Great Salt Lake provides a unique and valuable environment for scientific research.
Interesting Facts:
- With the salinity levels approaching the Dead Sea, it is saltier than the ocean.
- The Largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
- The eighth-largest terminal lake in the world.
- Lake Okeechobee
Location: Florida
Surface Area: 734 square miles
Maximum Depth: 92 feet
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of ancient earthworks and canals created by the Belle Glade culture around Lake Okeechobee. They inhabited the area from 1000 BCE to 1700 CE. These remains are of utmost value because they were part of an extensive network for water management, transportation, and agriculture.
Other than this, have you ever heard of “Herbert Hoover Dike”? It is one of the largest earthen dams in the United States and it encircles Lake Okeechobee. It is constructed as a response to the devastating hurricanes in the 1920s. It plays a crucial role in flood control and water management for South Florida. Therefore, this is how Lake Okeechobee holds onto its position as one of the largest lakes in the USA.
Interesting Facts:
- Seventh-largest freshwater lake entirely within the United States.
- Home to more than 40 species of native fish, such as the Mayan Cichlid.
- Okeechobee is a Seminole word, meaning – “big water”.
- Lake Pontchartrain
Location: Louisiana
Surface Area: 631 square miles
Maximum Depth: 16 feet
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, there existed a ghost town of Ruddock. A thriving logging and sawmill community near the western shore of Lake Pontchartrain. However, a hurricane devastated the town in 1915, which led to the abandonment of Ruddock. It is reclaimed by the Manchac Swamp. There are tales of the ghostly presence of the former residents of this town and the Rougarou, a mythical swamp creature.
Furthermore, the south shore of one of the largest lakes in the USA was home to Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park. This was among the most popular entertainment destinations in that region. It had roller coasters, a swimming pool, a Ferris wheel, and even a beach. On the other hand, the park closed down in the early 1980s. Nonetheless, it adds to the cultural importance of Lake Pontchartrain.
Interesting Facts:
- Largest brackish lake in the United States. Contains a mix of freshwater and saltwater.
- Crossed by the longest continuous bridge over water, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
- Comprises of more than 125,000 acres of wetland, including cypress swamps and bottomland hardwoods.
- Lake Oahe
Location: Outlines North Dakota and South Dakota
Surface Area: 578 square miles
Maximum Depth: 216 feet
Lake Oahe is created by damming the Missouri River. However, many towns and communities were submerged during the development of one of the largest lakes in the USA. One highlighted example is the town of Forest City, South Dakota. Lake Oahe allows divers to explore the remnants of this bustling community. This community was established in the late 19th century. Hence, this lake has “Underwater Ghost Towns”.
Moreover, this lake is one of the few places in the entire world where Paddlefish (an ancient, approximately 300 million years old, species of fish) can be found. They are known as “prehistoric fish” for their long, paddle-shaped snouts. The lake provides an appropriate spawning habitat for these fish.
Interesting Facts:
- An artificial reservoir was created on the Missouri River by the Oahe Dam.
- Named for the 1874 Oahe Indian Mission.
- Lies within the ancestral lands of the Lakota Sioux tribe.
- Lake Champlain
Location: Borders Quebec, Canada, Vermont and New York
Surface Area: 514 square miles
Maximum Depth: 430 feet
Similar to Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster, Lake Champlain is famous for its legendary creature – “Champ”. People have described it as a long serpent-like creature and also a more traditional lake monster. Champ remains a famous figure in local folklore. However, most sightings are anecdotal and lack descriptive evidence.
Apart from being one of the largest lakes in the USA, Lake Champlain played an important role in the American Revolutionary War. Specifically in 1776, during the battle of Valcour Island. As a result of this, the lake floor consists of various well-preserved shipwrecks from both the British and American navies. This benefits the archaeologists and historians with valuable insights into the life during Revolutionary era and naval warfare.
Interesting Facts:
- Sixth deepest lake entirely in the United States
- Founded by the French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in 1609.
- Around 250,000 people get drinking water from Lake Champlain.
The End Note
Whether you’re seeking a thrilling adventure, a chance to sneak into history, or a weekend getaway, there’s a lake in the USA waiting to be explored. So pack your bags, leave behind all sorrows, and start your trip to the largest lakes in the USA!
Lastly, have you visited any of these lakes? If yes, then we would love to hear about your favorite memories and experiences. Reach out to us if you have any curiosities regarding this topic. Thanks for reading!
Also Read: 5 Must-See National Parks in Wyoming in 2024
