Facts about Lake Erie

Facts about Lake Erie

Lake Erie Facts for Kids

Posted by Admin / in Science Facts

Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes and is located between the countries of the United States and Canada. Lake Erie is the shallowest lake of all the Great Lakes. With its shallow water, the temperatures of the lake typically exceed more than 70 degrees F in the summer. Not only is the warmer water good for visitors of the many natural beaches around Lake Erie, but fish also thrive here. Lake Erie is well-known for its abundant Walleye, Perch and Bass fishing. In the spring, the Walleye spawn into the tributaries Rivers, such as the Maumee River. People who like to fish line up on the banks of the river and in small fishing boats to catch the Walleye. Find out some interesting facts about Lake Erie.

lake erie facts

Lake Erie is considered a great lake because of its size

image credit: US Army Corps of Engineers

Lake Erie Facts

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Lake Erie from Presque Isle State Park in Erie PA

Lake Erie is the 4th largest of the great lakes, but in terms of water volume, it is the 5th largest.

facts about lake erie

Waterway leading to Port Stanley's inland harbour

Port Stanley is one of the most popular tourist destinations on Canada's Lake Erie North Shore. Boating, swimming, fishing, train rides and relaxing are all things people do when they visit Port Stanley

Lake Erie Port Stanley

Natural Dunes beach at Port Stanley

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Stanley Beach at sunset

Towns and cities dot the shores of Lake Erie. Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky, Erie and Buffalo were built from the transportation routes and easy access to buy and sell materials. Smaller towns dot the shoreline of Lake Erie as well. Many of these towns grow considerably during the summer months when people seek the activities and peacefulness surrounding the lake. lake erie ohio facts

Waterfront at Geneva-On-The-Lake

LAKE ERIE FACTS

  • Lake Erie is a freshwater lake located between the United States and Canada.

  • Lake Erie is the shallowest of the 5 great lakes. The average depth of Lake Erie is 62 feet.

  • Lake Erie is very shallow on the Western Basin, but deeper on the eastern side of the lake near New York, northwestern Ohio and Pennsylvania.

  • The deepest point in Lake Erie is 210 feet and is located within the Long Point Escarpment in the Eastern Erie Basin.

  • With its shallow waters and warmer temperatures than the other great lakes, more money is spent on sport fishing and recreation on Lake Erie than other Great Lakes.

  • The Lake Erie coastline borders four U.S. states, including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. It also borders the Canadian province of Ontario.

  • Waters from Lake Michigan, Huron and Superior enter Lake Erie at the Detroit River.

  • Water from Lake Erie exits the lake naturally at the Niagara River, which flows over Niagara Falls.

  • Lake Erie has a drainage area of 30,140 square miles. Water that falls within this drainage area flows to Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Islands Facts

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Miller Ferry boat transports people and cars to Kelleys Island

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The Kelleys Island coastline is a popular spot for boating and kayaking

The Lake Erie Islands are a very popular destination for people who like boating, fishing, swimming and relaxing. Every year the Lake Erie Islands attracts millions of visitors during the tourist season. Generally the tourist season lasts from May 15 each year to September 30. The fall is unusually warmer because of the warm surrounding lake water, but the spring is cooler. The largest Lake Erie Island is Pelee Island in Canadian waters. The largest U.S. island is Kelleys Island. The most popular Lake Erie island is South Bass Island in the American waters because of the very busy town of Put-In-Bay.

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State Park beach on the north side of Kelleys Island

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Sunset on Kelleys Island

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Ferry dock at Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island)

FUN FACTS ABOUT LAKE ERIE

  • Lake Erie has over 26 islands. The islands are all located on the Western Basin of the lake. The number of islands varies, based on the water elevation.

  • Canada's most southern point is located on Pelee Island in Lake Erie. This is also the largest Lake Erie island.

  • Ferry boat service is available to 4 Lake Erie Islands including Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island), Middle Bass Island, Kelleys Island, and Pelee Island (from the U.S. and Canada).

  • The average amount of rainfall that falls directly into the lake is equal to the average amount of evaporation each year. The rainfall into the overall drainage area provides the excess water that flows into Lake Ontario.

  • Lake Erie is one of the best sport fishing lakes in the world. People travel from around the world to fish for Walleye, Perch, and Bass in Lake Erie.

  • The Lake Erie coastline borders four U.S. states, including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. It also borders the Canadian province of Ontario.

  • Waters from Lake Michigan, Huron and Superior enter Lake Erie at the Detroit River.

  • Water from Lake Erie exits the lake at the Niagara River, which flows over Niagara Falls on its way to Lake Ontario.

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posted by Admin