Lake superior is one of the five great lakes of North America and the largest by surface area. Located on the Canada-United States border, the lake has a circumference of 2,860 miles and covers an area of 31,700 square miles.
The lake’s circumference has been estimated in various ways, from the simplest—measuring the circumference directly—to using the various methods of modern cartographic technology. One of the most accurate ways to measure the circumference of a lake is to use land-based and satellite-equipped Precision Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, which use high-accuracy satellite-tracking technology.
According to the International Joint Commission, which oversees Great Lakes issues, Lake Superior has a circumference of 2,860 miles. This is the circumference of the lake, measured in a straight line—from point A to point B—along its shoreline.
Other sources, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), give slightly different figures, but all agree that Lake Superior has a circumference of around 2,860 miles.
It is interesting to note that the actual shoreline of Lake Superior is much longer than 2,860 miles—estimates by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources put it at as much as 3,482 miles. The discrepancy is due to the fact that the lake forms many “inlets” and “bays” along its shoreline, which are not included in the circumference measurement.
The volume of Lake Superior is estimated to be about 2,900 cubic miles, making it the second-largest of the five great lakes. Its average depth is about 483 feet and the deepest point is about 1,332 feet.
In addition to its huge size, Lake Superior has another distinctive feature—it is the coldest of the five Great Lakes. Its average temperature is 41°F (5°C), and in January, the lake’s surface can get as cold as 17°F (-8°C).
Lake Superior Shapes
Lake Superior is shaped more like an inverted triangle than a circle. The lake is widest at the central point of its triangle-shape, is relatively shallow along the eastern shore of its Canadian side, while its western shore on the U.S. side drops off to great depths.
The south shore is bounded by the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin, while the northern shore is bounded by the Grand Portage of Ontario. The long western shore of the lake is located in Minnesota.
The lake has a total of 425 islands, the largest of which is Manitoulin Island in Canada. There are also more than 900 coastal islands in the lake—many of them in the Canadian portion of the lake—which make up 87 percent of the total island area.
The lake has also been formed by geologic events over thousands of years. Research conducted by the University of Minnesota has suggested that Lake Superior was formed by the draining of glacial meltwaters that carved out a deep basin. Over time, the lake extended its boundaries farther and farther north due to continued melting of the glaciers.
It is believed that the lake reached its present-day size about 8,000 years ago. Since then, it has undergone significant changes due to the erosion of its coastlines and the settling of sediment from river systems.
Lake Superior Climate
The climate of Lake Superior is greatly influenced by the lake itself, as well as by geographical factors. In wintertime, the water stores heat and helps moderate temperatures. The average temperature in the summer is around 74°F (23°C).
In the winter months, temperatures drop to an average of around 41°F (5°C). Wind direction, air temperature, humidity, and air pressure all play a role in influencing the lake’s temperature.
The lake’s large body of water makes it susceptible to the effects of climate change. As the climate warms and summers become longer, the lake’s average temperature is expected to increase. This will have serious implications for the lake’s balance of species, its food webs, and the regional economy.
In addition to the climate, Lake Superior is also home to a host of wildlife. A variety of fish species live in the lake, including walleyes, lake trout, and lake whitefish. The lake also supports a healthy population of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
The lake’s native species are under threat from a variety of human-induced problems, such as climate change, toxic pollutants, and overfishing. Conservation measures have been put in place by the International Joint Commission, but the lake’s ecosystem remains fragile.
Lake Superior Factoids
Lake Superior is considered to be the largest and deepest freshwater lake in the world. It is also the world’s largest lake entirely within one country. It takes an average of 191 days for all the water in the lake to be replenished by its watershed.
The lake also holds one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a 729-foot-long freighter, sank in 1975 due to a ferocious storm. The wreck is still at the bottom of the lake and serves as a warning to ships of the lake’s sometimes treacherous weather.
Lake Superior also supplies freshwater to many communities in the U.S. and Canada. It is estimated that over 3 million people in the United States and Canada rely on the lake as their primary source of drinking water.
The lake is also a popular tourist destination. Its shoreline is dotted with resorts, campgrounds, and recreational areas, and it supports a thriving commercial fishery. People come from all over the world to enjoy the beauty of Lake Superior and the many recreational opportunities it provides.
Development of Lake Superior
The largest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Superior probably formed as a result of melting glaciers about 8,000 years ago. Since then, it has been sustained by the runoff from multiple rivers that form its watershed, including the St. Marys, Pigeon, Nipigin and Michipicoten Rivers.
The lake’s watershed is expansive and includes parts of three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Much of the land around the lake is undeveloped and wild, making it an attractive destination for recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, and camping.
The lake is also home to countless ships and boats, serving industry, trade, and tourism. Estimates suggest that as many as 8,000 recreational vessels and 400 commercial vessels use the lake each year.
The lake’s vast size makes it a challenging navigational environment. It is hazardous, with dangerous underwater structures and shifting sand bars, so the U.S. and Canada have established safety regulations, such as vessel size restrictions, speed limits, and designated routes.
In the past few years, Lake Superior has seen significant changes due to human activity. The lake’s water levels are now at their highest since records began in the 1860s. This rise is due, in part, to the fact that more water is being created by melting glaciers and more water evaporating from the lake.
At the same time, the lake is facing serious challenges due to pollution and other human activities, such as fish stocking and shoreline development. Despite these challenges, the pristine beauty of the lake is still evident, making it a source of pride for both the United States and Canada.
Economic Impact of Lake Superior
Lake Superior’s economic impact is hard to measure, but it is clear that the lake has had significant economic benefits for the communities around it. The lake’s abundant resources—fish, timber, and water power—have supported regional industries for centuries.
More recently, the lake has become an important source of tourism. Recreational activities, such as fishing and boating, bring in millions of dollars each year. The lake has also become a popular destination for adventure-seekers, with an increasing number of people taking advantage of its wild landscape.
The lake is also an important trans-boundary transportation corridor between the U.S. and Canada. The shipping lanes on the lake provide access to markets in both countries and are essential to local economies.
Finally, the lake is an important source of drinking water. Its waters are used by numerous U.S. and Canadian cities, and its watershed supports much of the region’s agricultural production.
In sum, Lake Superior is a vital resource for the communities in both the United States and Canada. Its importance as an economic resource will only become more important in the years to come as the impacts of climate change continue to affect the lake and its surroundings.
