Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes located in North America, with a total surface area of 23,000 square miles making it the second-largest among the five. It runs along the provinces of Ontario and Michigan in Canada, and the states of Wisconsin, Illinois and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the United States. Cities are abundant along the shoreline of this massive lake, which is settled in several countries.
In Canada, several cities are home to the beautiful Lake Huron. Among them, Sarnia is known as the “Gateway to Ontario” because it is located literally across from Port Huron, Michigan. This port city is particularly popular for its music festivals throughout the year, and for its landmarks such as the Railway Tunnel, the Lighthouse Conservation Centre and the Bay Port Park Lagoon.
Goderich is a city that stands near the western shores of Lake Huron. It is known as the “Prettiest Town in Canada” due to its stunning architecture. This town is also particularly known for its 19th-century County buildings and its harbour which provides ferry services between mainland and the Lake around it.
Owen Sound is located right by the southern exit of the Lake Huron, and is known for its picturesque waterfalls, lush forests and lakeside beaches. This city is home to countless historical sites, such as the Tom Thomson Memorial Park, the Inglis Falls Conservation and Bruce Grey Museum, which attract many visitors looking to admire the spectacular scenery.
Further east, a city known as Kincardine stands on the Lake Huron waters. This city is famous for its preserved 19th and 20th century architecture in its city centre. Kincardine is home to a renowned beach and harbour, and is also known for its iconic Kincardine Lighthouse, where many photographs are taken throughout the year.
In the United States, dozens of cities inhabit the wonderful Lake Huron. An important city is Port Huron, which is located at the exact opposite of Sarnia in Ontario. This “Gateway to Michigan” is a renowned port with a special place in the Great Lakes history. It has a great tourism industry, with many attractions like Black River Beach, the artistic works of the McLaren Art District and the incredible lighthouse.
Traverse City is a port city close to the eastern shores of Lake Huron. The city stands on a beautiful lake, and besides its marinas, it is mostly known for its towering sand dunes, the breathtaking Cherry Blossom Festival and its wineries and breweries.
Alpena stands near the northeastern corner of the Lake Huron, a few hours’ drive north of Detroit. This city is particularly popular for its abundance of nature, such as its beaches, top-notch fishing and water sports. Its Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is also renowned for being one of the largest and best-preserved freshwater shipwrecks.
Economy
The economy of cities along Lake Huron span from shipping, tourism and fishing to agriculture, services and renewable energy. Despite the geographical differences of cities from one country to another, all are united in the beauty, wealth and great economic value that the Lake Huron provides. Some of the dominant industries include shipping, boating, fishing, wood and paper products, tourism, and renewable energy.
The value of the commodities shipped on Lake Huron is estimated to exceed 1 billion dollars every year. Besides this, the beautiful shorelines of the Lake are majorly popular for tourism, with many marinas, resorts and lighthouses that attract people from all parts of the world. It is become a thriving tourist destination with immense potentials.
Many cities nearby the Lake house factories that product food, steel, chemicals and petroleum which are exported over Lake Huron. It holds great importance to the overall economy of its basin. Besides, the massive outflow of water from the Lake is utilized for hydropower to produce electricity.
Likewise, the fishing activity around Lake Huron is greatly significant, contributing greatly to the economy. The fish population has increased significantly, with over 180 species of both cool-water and warm-water Fish like whitefish, trout, sturgeon, and bass. This adds further economic value to the basin.
Impact of Climate Change
The cities located by the shores of Lake Huron are highly prone to the effects of climate change, as they are in direct contact with the lake and its waters. The lake is threatened by human activities such as climate change and human impacts, as well as by pollution, overfishing and loss of aquatic vegetation.
The lake is being affected by the increase of temperature and evaporation, which causes an increase in the rate of water loss. This, in turn, has caused the water level to drop significantly throughout the Great Lakes basin. This drop has significantly impacted the water quality of the lake, as well as the life of plants and marine animals.
The rise of the global temperature has caused an increase in the evaporation of the lake, further reducing the water level. This has caused an acceleration of the intrusion of agricultural and other pollutants into the lake. This process has caused an imbalance in the natural state of the lake, affecting the health of the water and the affected population living by its shores.
To make matters worse, the current climate change has caused an increase in the air temperature, leading to an increase in surface water temperature. This has sparked an increase of algal blooms in Lake Huron, leading to an increase in the amount of toxins, anoxia and the death of many species of fish and plant life. The increase of the rate of algal growth has also caused significant imbalances in the lake’s ecosystem.
Environmental Conservation
Conserving the environment is key for the preservation of Lake Huron. Governments and organizations have been taking concrete steps to protect the lake from the effects of human activity by planting aquatic grass, monitoring nutrient levels and promoting sustainable fishing. By doing this, the risk of polluting the lake is reduced and its water quality improved.
In addition, continuous monitoring of the lake is being done in order to understand and contain the spread of toxins and pollutants. Organizations are putting in effort to restore wetlands, reduce erosion and to promote conservation in coastal areas. The effort of the conservation group is immense, as they strive to restore, protect and promote the quality of Lake Huron waters.
The residents of cities within Lake Huron must also be aware of their role in preserving the lake. Cities like Owen Sound, Kincardine and Goderich are reducing their carbon footprint by raising people’s awareness of the dangers of climate change. This is done by limiting emissions and using alternative energy sources in order to protect the lake.
Moreover, many conservation projects have been set in Lake Huron with the purpose of restoring its underwater life. A big fish restoration and rehabilitation project is being done with private, state and federal funds, in order to reduce the overfishing of species like walleyes, trout and salmon.
Tourism and Sports
Tourism and recreational activities play a big role in many of the cities around Lake Huron. Cities like Port Huron, Sarnia, Kincardine, Goderich and Traverse bring in tourists from all over the world who come to admire the great beauty of the lake and its landscape.
The tourism industry of Lake Huron is booming with many people exploring things like windsurfing, fishing, paddleboating, hiking and camping. The lake also has several attractions like the Great Lakes Maritime Center, festivals and wine tasting events.
In addition to its beauty, recreational activities and tours, cities along the lake also organize sports events, such as speedboat races and kite surfing marathons. These events attract numerous participants, who come to take part in and experience the wonderful activities that Lake Huron has to offer. The strong tourism industry around the lake has brought in lots of economic prosperity, with more and more people pouring in year after year.
Lake Huron is the shining star of North America, offering its citizens breathtaking views, ecological wealth and an abundance of activities that bring families, friends and tourists together. It is a lake of culture and leisure, filled with unique and natural beauty.
