Lake Superior By The Numbers
Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes, covering roughly 82,000 square miles of surface area, and with a maximum depth of 1,330 feet. But, just how much water is that? How many gallons are in Lake Superior?
To calculate the volume of water in the lake, we have to look at a range of factors and measurements. Its surface elevation, for example, is estimated at 600 feet above sea level — and its average depth is 490 feet at the easternmost point and 524 feet towards the western section of the lake. Once these figures are established, we can then start to calculate the total water volume.
The Technical Details
Using these measurements, researchers have used a variety of methods to estimate the exact volume of water in Lake Superior. According to the International Great Lakes Datum, the total volume of water in the lake is estimated at around 2,900 cubic kilometers.
By using the metric conversion of 1 liter equals 0.264 gallons of water — as is commonly used in the U.S. — this converts to 8.2 quintillion gallons of water. Once this estimate is entered into an online volume converter, the equivalent measurements used in the United States are revealed — and the answer to how many gallons are in Lake Superior is an astonishing 2.9 trillion.
A Source Of Great Power
The immense volume of water in Lake Superior is a source of great power. It generates hydro-electricity through special turbines that convert the constant pressure of its massive volume of water into electricity. This is then supplied by a network of power plants situated on the lake’s shores, with total electricity production topping over 4,500 million kilowatt-hours each year. This power is then used to sustain cities and towns in the Great Lakes area, providing a valuable source of sustainable energy.
Preserving The Precious Volume
It’s no exaggeration to declare that the volume of water in Lake Superior is precious — and that’s why every effort should be made to maintain and preserve it. Legally, all five Great Lakes are treated as a single hydrological system due to the interconnectedness of their waterways and basins. This means no one state can claim exclusive rights over the waters that flow in and out of the lakes, which helps conserve and protect the precious resource.
Through cooperation and collaboration amongst the Great Lakes states, governments and independent stakeholders can all work together to protect and conserve the lake’s vital resources — which demonstrably includes its total water volume.
The Unique Balance Of Nature
Lake Superior’s size and depth is also part of a unique balancing act between its waters and land being acted out by nature. Despite being the largest of the Great Lakes, it’s actually freshwater and it’s displacement affects the ocean tides of the nearby Atlantic Seaboard. A slight rise or decrease in its waters can be felt many miles away.
What’s more, its estimated 8.2 quintillion gallons of water helps to regulate the weather of the entire Great Lakes region — via the large body of water’s ability to evaporate and store heat. This has an almost thermostatic impact on the entire watershed, cooling midsummer temperatures and moderating winter chill — keeping the atmosphere, human and aquatic life in the region in balance.
Conserving Water For Future Use
Conserving this vital resource for future use and enjoyment is essential, and this also goes for the lesser lakes of the Great Lakes — as each contains a vital volume of water and are integral to the sustainability of the entire region. There are various ways to conserve water from the Great Lakes, from instituting water restrictions and managing water run-offs, to installing water conservation systems in commercial, industrial and household applications.
Education remains one of the most important factors in water conservation, and by teaching the public about the vital role each lake plays in the region’s water cycle and energy production, we can ensure a future for Lake Superior — and, indeed, all of the Great Lakes.
Calling In The Satellites
In an effort to further understand the movement and volume of water in Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes, researchers are now turning to advanced data model systems. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) are utilizing satellite technology and water circulation models to predict lake activity, allowing them to calculate and monitor water volume changes in Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior.
By receiving timely frontal observations via satellite images, researchers can identify changes in the lake volume data over shorter time frames — of as quickly as three days — and notice fluctuations such as rip currents, storms, waves and monsoons. This helps to provide a better understanding of actual water displacement as determined by satellite readings.
Shunning Plastic Waste
The volume of water in Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes is also subject to plastic pollution. There’s an estimated 110 tons of microplastics present in the bodies of water — and this is largely due to careless littering and corporations disposing of waste.
Consumers have the power to save the volume of the lakes and reduce plastic waste. We can all make conscious efforts to use only biodegradable materials that don’t contain plastic and to reduce consumption of plastic packaging, wrappings, bags and other forms of plastic that can end up in the Great Lakes.
The Reward Of Responsibility
Protecting the volume of water in Lake Superior and beyond carries its own rewards. Keeping these lakes pristine and healthy not only safeguards future generations and the environment, but allows us access to them in the present.
From sea kayaking, fishing and swimming, to simply basking in the lakes’ beauty and abundance, the countless recreational and leisure activities that abound in and around the Great Lakes are available to anyone who commends a conscious and responsible attitude towards sustainability and the environment.
The Price Of Neglect
This isn’t just about being responsible stewards of the earth, however. It’s also about acknowledging the impacts of climate change and its inevitably altering effects on the Great Lakes and the rest of the planet. From rising water levels and unpredictable weather patterns, to dropping temperature readings and struggling animal populations, the consequences of global warming are obvious.
It’s our duty to protect the volume of water in Lake Superior and all of the Great Lakes, to conserve its precious resource and ensure its continued availability for enjoyment and energy production.
