Knowledge of Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest lake in the Great Lakes system and the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It is located in the north-central United States and Canada, and it requires five U.S. states and two Canadian provinces to contain its entire basin. The lake itself is about 350 miles long and 160 miles wide, with a total area of 31,700 square miles. It has an average depth of 483 feet, reaching a maximum depth of 1,332 feet. Over 200 rivers feed into Lake Superior, but only one major river, the St. Marys River, flows out of it.
How Many Bodies Are In Lake Superior?
While it is impossible to accurately calculate how many bodies have been buried in Lake Superior over its 4-billion-year history, scientists estimate that there could be as many as 1,500. The majority of these bodies are believed to be individuals who were killed in accidents or drowned while swimming or boating. The lake is a popular destination for recreational activities and can pose a great danger to its visitors if safety precautions are not adhered to. An estimated number of bodies within the lake stems from bodies recovered from it from 1900-1970
Historical Context
Throughout the years, Lake Superior has seen its fair share of tragedies resulting in deaths. Numerous shipwrecks have occurred in the lake due to its unpredictable weather conditions, particularly during the Great Lakes shipping season of April-November. In 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald, a 729-foot iron ore carrier, capsized due to high winds and heavy waves. All 29 crew members perished, and their bodies were never recovered. This event is considered one of the largest maritime disasters in the Great Lakes. Despite efforts, the bodies of the crew have never been found, and their fate remains a mystery.
Recoveries
Some bodies have been recovered from Lake Superior. For example, the body of John Lennon, a miner who died in 1923 after being overcome by smoke from an underground fire in the Kimball Mine, was recovered from the lake in 1924. More recently, the body of a 14-year-old girl who had gone missing in 2003 was recovered from Lake Superior in 2010. While the majority of bodies recovered from the lake are attributed to accidents and drownings, some were victims of homicide. For instance, in 2017, the body of Anthony Sowinski, a suspected drug trafficker, was retrieved from the lake.
Expert Perspectives
According to Robert Yurko, who works as an underwater consultant, it is highly unlikely that the bodies of the previously mentioned victims will ever be recovered. Yurko stated that the “lake is vast and full of complex currents and depths that make it impossible to pinpoint a body’s location,” adding “it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.” However, Yurko and other experts in their fields remain optimistic that advances in technology and increased search efforts may lead to more recoveries in the future.
Advanced Technology
Advances in technology have made it possible to search and recover bodies from Lake Superior with increased accuracy. Sonar is a computer-operated imaging tool that sends sound waves through the water in order to detect objects that might be lying on the lake bed. Divers are also employed in search efforts, although their visibility is limited due to the lake’s murky nature. Additionally, advances in DNA technology have made it possible to identify recovered bodies more quickly and accurately than ever before.
Deaths Since 1900
Since 1900, more than a thousand people have lost their lives in Lake Superior. The main causes of death since then have been drowning due to boat capsizing and frequent storms, hypothermia due to the icy temperatures of the lake, and boat collisions and other accidents. Furthermore, some deaths have occurred due to people jumping out of boats, watercraft-related incidents, and watercraft misjudgment. Many of these deaths could have been avoided had the victims taken more caution while in the lake.
Be Aware of the Risks
The dangers of Lake Superior should not be taken lightly. Every year, dozens of people lose their lives due to accidents and other incidents related to the lake. While it is impossible to predict which areas are particularly hazardous, there are certain precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of being injured or even killed. Wearing a personal floatation device whenever in or near the lake is strongly advised, as is exercising caution when swimming in areas of rough currents and high waves.
Environmental Risks
Lake Superior is home to a vast ecosystem that is constantly exposed to the risk of pollution and contamination. Over the years, high levels of industrial pollution, poor wastewater management practices, and agricultural runoff have resulted in a decrease in the lake’s oxygen levels, harming wildlife and adversely affecting the surrounding environment. Organizations have taken action to reduce pollution by encouraging local businesses to adopt more environmentally-friendly practices, such as waste reduction and water recycling.
Environmental Conservation
The Great Lakes are extremely important ecosystems, and Lake Superior is no exception. Numerous conservation efforts have been implemented to restore and protect its environment, including the implementation of pollution control regulations, the removal of invasive species, and the creation of aquatic preserves. The lake is also home to the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, a designated Marine Protected Area that covers an area of over 220,000 square kilometers and protects its waters from fishing and other destructive activities.
Education and Awareness
Awareness of the Great Lakes’ vital role in the environment is sorely needed regarding their protection. Making sure people are educated on the importance of clean water and the harmful effects of water pollution can have a huge impact on developing safe and sustainable practices to protect the lakes. Continuing to research and understand the local ecosystem of Lake Superior is necessary to ensure it remains safe and healthy for the years to come.
