Lake Michigan is often described as the fifth-largest Great Lake, with over 1,600 miles of shoreline. With its expansive size, it often sparks comparisons between itself and Britain. But how big is this lake compared to the United Kingdom?
At 36,000 square miles, Lake Michigan is slightly larger than the UK, which spans in at 90,363 square miles. This is nearly three times the size of Britain’s mainland and its total surface area takes up almost half of the Great Lakes region. In comparison, the UK has just over 13,000 square miles of inland water, making it the smallest lake compared to Lake Michigan.
Though the difference in size between Lake Michigan and the UK is clear to see, the most striking difference lies in the depth. Lake Michigan has an average depth of 279 feet, going as deep as 925 feet near its center. In comparison, the UK has an average depth of just 45 feet, though interestingly, its deepest points total around 1,600 feet at the Bristol Channel and Firth of Clyde.
The presence of Lake Michigan has affected the surrounding environment, both through its sheer size and because of its easy accessibility for shipping and industry. The largest cities close to it, such as Chicago and Milwaukee, benefit from its aquatic and industrial activities, the tourism industry, and other activities supported by the lake. Its presence also has an impact on natural habitats, as it affects the distribution of various species within the area. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to the distribution of fish and aquatic life, which can be affected by the presence of large bodies of water like Lake Michigan.
Though the size of the lake is far from small, its presence is still dwarfed by the ocean when compared to its total surface area. This can be seen in their sizes, with the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean having surface areas of over 71 million square miles, compared to Lake Michigan’s 36,000 square miles.
The effects of these large bodies of water are also significantly different. The oceans have a much larger influence on global climate, supporting a variety of different species and providing transport links across several nations. As an inland lake, the effects of Lake Michigan don’t have the same large-scale impact that the oceans do, though it still affects the industry and wildlife of the Great Lake’s region greatly.
Impact of Lake Michigan on Vegetation and Wildlife
Lake Michigan’s presence has been linked to the survival of fish and aquatic wildlife, as well as its impact on vegetation surrounding the lake. As outlined in the 2013 National Lakes Assessment, the lake’s fish population is affected by both its size and chemical composition, which may be linked to how Lake Michigan affects the surrounding vegetation. Though the lake’s size creates huge opportunities for fish populations to grow, the changes in its chemistry can negatively affect the survival of aquatic species.
The lake’s size also has an effect on the amount of vegetation it supports, largely thanks to its vast shoreline. This shoreline can impact the amount of light, food, and living space available to aquatic species. Some species have adapted to the lake’s changing environment while other species, such as certain strands of plants, are unable to survive in Lake Michigan’s waters.
Lake Michigan’s size has also been linked to the amount of pollution it receives; the larger the surface area of the lake, the more pollutants it is likely able to contain. Polluted runoff and urbanization have had a noticeable effect on the lake’s water quality, leading to an increase in the number of species, such as fish, whose populations are affected by this decrease in quality. This has an even greater effect on species close to the shore, where water pollution hits hardest.
Effects of Lake Michigan on Shipping and Industry
The size of Lake Michigan is also beneficial to shipping and industry. Its expansive surface area makes it possible to transport goods and resources across large distances and its close vicinity to major cities, such as Chicago, makes it easier for ships to dock, as well as helping to lower the cost of goods and services.
The lake’s size has also been useful for industries such as tourism and recreational water sports. Its close vicinity to the Great Lakes and its expansive shoreline makes it an ideal spot for vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, helping to bring in revenue from these activities.
Shoreline development has been at the heart of goods and service transportation since the industrial revolution. Since Lake Michigan has a much larger shoreline than any other Great Lake and due to its increased access to ports, numerous industries have grown up alongside it, and this in turn has increased the economic activity of the surrounding regions.
The size of Lake Michigan has also helped to attract cargo ships and fishing vessels, as it has provided them with the necessary infrastructure to operate. The number of cargo ships and fishing vessels that dock at Lake Michigan ports has been steadily increasing over the past decade, due to the lake’s increased accessibility. This has helped to create jobs and has improved the economic activity of the surrounding regions.
Comparison Between UK & Lake Michigan in Terms of Economy & Trade
The UK is seen as a great model for how a country can benefit from its water resources. Though it has a much smaller size and depth than Lake Michigan, it is still able to support a large and vibrant economy through a number of industries, such as fishing, shipping, and tourism. The UK also benefits from a rich cultural heritage, which is still able to draw in tourists from across the globe.
On the other hand, Lake Michigan does not have such a long history of supporting strong economic activities. But through its accessible shoreline and its close vicinity to great cities, it has been able to develop industries such as shipping and tourism, which have helped its surrounding regions grow. It has also been able to use its size to attract traffic to the lake’s ports and to reduce the cost of goods and services.
The UK is also known for its booming financial sector and its openness to foreign trade. In comparison, Lake Michigan’s economic activity is largely centered around industries such as shipping and tourism, which bring in far less money. The UK’s openness to foreign trade and its powerful business sector also make it an attractive place to do business, while Lake Michigan’s population and size are both too small to be able to draw in such large amounts of capital or revenue.
How Big Is Lake Michigan Compared to Oceans?
The presence of oceans and seas has an effect on global climate and can impact global events. In comparison, Lake Michigan’s size and presence does not rival even one of the world’s smallest oceans, such as the Arctic Ocean. The Arctic Ocean has a surface area of approximately 5.4 million square miles, compared to the 36,000 square miles of Lake Michigan.
The difference between Lake Michigan and the oceans can also be seen in the depths. The global average depth of the oceans is 12,254 feet, while Lake Michigan’s average depth is only 279 feet. Its deepest points are much shallower than the deepest points of the oceans, which can go as far as 36,198 feet.
The presence of the oceans has been linked to global temperature and weather patterns, while Lake Michigan’s presence on the atmosphere is more localized. Its size also makes it more difficult to detect changes in the climate and its data is often limited.
What Are the Different Uses for Lake Michigan?
Due to its expansive area, Lake Michigan can be used for a variety of activities. Its shoreline provides opportunities for a number of water sports and recreational activities, including swimming, sailing, and fishing. Its close vicinity to cities has also helped to attract tourists from around the world, and has made it a popular spot for sightseeing and leisure.
The lake’s accessibility and size also makes it popular for shipping and transportation. It is able to transport goods to and from the nearby cities, as well as serving as an integral part of the Great Lakes Region’s economic activity. Lake Michigan has also been able to provide a number of resources for the nearby cities and countries, such as water, and its generally high water quality has made it a popular spot for fishing.
Lake Michigan’s size has enabled it to support a number of industries, and its presence has had a huge impact on the region’s economy and industry. From shipping and trade, to tourism and recreation, the size of the lake has enabled it to become an integral part of the region’s growth.
How Has the Size of Lake Michigan Changed Over Time?
Though the size of Lake Michigan has not changed much over time, its shorelines have become more developed. This is due to the emergence of new industries and businesses, which have developed along its coastline. As the industries have grown, so have the number of people living in the area, leading to a decrease in the lake’s natural habitats and an increase in pollution and erosion.
The size of the lake has also been affected by changes in the water levels. Over the past few decades, the lake levels have decreased, due to a combination of factors such as climate change and human activities. This has in turn affected the lake’s habitats, water quality, and the species it supports.
Though the size of Lake Michigan has not changed significantly, its presence has had a huge effect on the region. Its size has enabled it to support a number of industries and activities and its high-quality water has helped to improve the region’s economy.
