Lake Superior’s Overall Characteristics
Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by area and the second largest freshwater lake by volume. It is located on the northernmost edge of North America, forming part of the border between the United States and Canada. With a surface area of 82,100 square km and integral cold temperatures, Lake Superior is an impressive body of water and a major draw for visitors. But is it dangerous?
Despite its size, Lake Superior is quite shallow with an average depth of 147 metres. In contrast, neighboring Lake Michigan has an average depth of 94 metres. As a result, Lake Superior is vulnerable to excessive rains and storms. Temperatures in the lake persistently hover around 4 ºC to 8 ºC, so it can be a bit too cold for swimming and other leisure activities.
Are There Any Dangerous Animals in Lake Superior?
Fortunately, there are not many dangerous animals in Lake Superior. The lake does contain large populations of fish, including bass, walleye, and perch. The lake also contains smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as northern pike and muskellunge. None of these animals pose a significant danger to humans, although occasionally a muskie or northern pike might give anglers a good fight.
How About Water Conditions?
One of the biggest dangers in Lake Superior is the wave action of the lake itself. The lake can get quite turbulent with high wave heights and strong winds. In addition, the lake can experience large surge cycles, when large amounts of water flow into the lake or out of the lake. This is an extraordinary event, even on Lake Superior’s scale, and should be avoided when the lake is in such a state.
The lake also has a fair amount of sea ice during the winter months, posing an additional threat to travelers. This ice can move quickly, and can cover vast areas of the lake at a time. Additionally, wind and wave conditions often create ice ridges that can be hazardous, especially to boats.
Cleaning Up the Lake
The lake actually unsurprisingly faces environmental threats from human pollution and a lack of cleaning, and these have never been more urgent. Some of the health risks that come from polluted water in the lake include contamination of drinking-water, ingesting contaminated water, health risks to aquatic life, increased algae growth and changes in water chemistry.
The lake’s ecological health has improved over the past decade, but the lake still suffers from poor water quality and the effects of acid rain on its biological communities. As a result, there is still much work to be done to clean up the lake, mostly focused on reducing the level of phosphorus entering the lake.
Crowded Waters
The lake can also be dangerous simply due to its size. While the conditions and wildlife of Lake Superior tend to be minimally challenging, the dangers of navigating the large body of water can become particularly concerning. With so much open water, navigation can be difficult, and since there are no roads except for the St. Mary’s River and the North Shore, navigation by sight is often necessary.
Depending on the season, Lake Superior can become quite crowded with pleasure boats, sailboats, and even cruises, making the risk of collisions very real. It is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and keep track of other vessels in the area.
Bringing the Right Attire
It is important to remember that Lake Superior is a cold lake, and that anyone going into the water should be prepared for the cold and wear a wetsuit if possible. However, even with wetsuits on, the temperature of the lake can be a shock to those who are not used to it, and it is advised to take frequent breaks for warm drinks or move to a warmer body of water.
In addition, swimmers should be sure to wear a life jacket at all times, and have a personal flotation device on board if they plan to go out on a boat. Even experienced swimmers can be caught off guard by the cold temperatures and unexpected swells that the lake can produce.
Active Weather
The weather on Lake Superior can be unpredictable, so it is important to keep an eye on forecasts and the radar during trips. Even when the conditions look fine, they can rapidly change, making what seems like a pleasant summer day into a nightmare. Storms come in frequently, so be sure to check the local forecast often, and be prepared with the proper equipment in case the weather turns sour.
Potential Dangers of Rip Currents
Rip currents are also a potential danger on Lake Superior. These currents form when waves push water back from a beach, creating a narrow current that moves offshore, away from the shore. These currents can be extremely powerful, and can quickly pull swimmers out to deeper waters. When swimming on Lake Superior, it is important to be aware of these currents, and to keep away from any areas with warning signs.
Risky Rocks and Beaches
In addition to water-based dangers, the rocks and beaches of Lake Superior can also pose a hazard. Rocks can be slippery, and waves may not be visible until they’re right at your feet. Beaches can also be dangerous with sudden drops and slippery surfaces, so it is best to be aware of what you’re stepping on and wear appropriate footgear when exploring the shoreline.
High Risk Areas to Avoid
Last but not least, Lake Superior’s dangerous regions can coincide with those near industrial areas and harbours. The presence of large ships and their cargo can prove hazardous, even to experienced mariners. To reduce the risk of injury or death, it’s important to avoid entering these areas and to heed the warnings of harbourmasters and other officials.
Shipwrecks in the Region
The cold, unforgiving waters of Lake Superior have claimed over 6,000 shipwrecks since the time of the first European exploration. Even with modern technology and navigation, ships have gone down in the dark depths of the lake due to storms, fog and treacherous waters. As a result of these shipwrecks, the lake is often referred to as ‘Shipwreck Alley.’
The wreck of the Titanic of the Great Lakes, the S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald, is perhaps the most famous of these shipwrecks. The coal-loaded ore freighter vanished without a trace in 1975 during a raging storm on Lake Superior. Its remains have never been found, and the mystery of what happened to the ship and its crew has never been solved.
Conclusion of Waves, Strong Winds and Low Temperatures
In conclusion, while Lake Superior is a beautiful feature of the North American landscape, the lake is anything but gentle. Its vastness, combined with its unpredictable and potentially dangerous weather, makes it a difficult and intimidating place to explore. Even experienced explorers should be sure to keep track of local weather conditions and to be conscious of their surroundings, especially if they plan to enter the water.
