The two states in the United States that border both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan are Wisconsin and Michigan. Lake Superior is the second largest lake in the world and is located on the US-Canadian border. Lake Michigan is the third largest lake in the US and is located entirely within the US. The two Great Lakes are connected by the Straits of Mackinac, which passes through Lake Michigan’s southern portion. This makes them the most interconnected body of water within North America’s Great Lakes System.
Wisconsin and Michigan have always been closely associated with the Great Lakes due to their commercial and recreational importance. Fishing, tourism, transport and shipping are all activities that depend upon the Great Lakes. In Wisconsin, anglers come from all over the country for the chance to fish for Erie bass and salmon in Lake Michigan and trout in Lake Superior. The coasts of the two Great Lakes offer many unique beaches, which include attractions such as lighthouses and shipwrecks. On the other hand, the ports of Wisconsin and Michigan are important for the transport of resources and goods throughout the Great Lakes region.
In addition, the two Great Lakes are essential for providing fresh drinking water to many cities and towns throughout the region. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, both Wisconsin and Michigan take advantage of the Great Lakes to secure a large portion of their municipal water supply. The water from these lakes is treated and made safe for drinking and other uses, providing a reliable source of clean and affordable drinking water.
The two states have also taken measures to protect their natural resources, due to the geographical significance of the Great Lakes. As a result, the government of Wisconsin has implemented regulations and policies to protect the environment. For example, the state has enacted water quality standards to reduce nutrient runoff and resulting algal blooms as well as “buffer zones” along shorelines to prevent development, among many other efforts.
Rachel Johnson, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, emphasizes the connection between clean water and public health. “Having clean, safe water for drinking and recreation is essential for the health and well-being of all Michiganites,” she says. “Our efforts to protect the waters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan are what make this possible.”
Ultimately, these two Great Lakes not only provide many benefits to the citizens of Michigan and Wisconsin but also serve as a connecting point for two wonderful states. By understanding the special relationship between Wisconsin and Michigan and the stability of the Great Lakes, we can continue to work towards protecting the wonderful natural resources that both support the region.
Economic Benefits
The two states of Wisconsin and Michigan have derived a multitude of economic benefits due to the presence of the two Great Lakes. Wisconsin and Michigan take advantage of proximity to the Great Lakes to secure a large portion of their municipal water supply. In terms of businesses, many have benefitted from the presence of the two lakes since businesses have been attracted to the areas that offer access to the lakes due to its potential. For example, the resource heavy aluminum smelting businesses have flourished near these two lakes because of easy access to the essential ferro-alloys in the waters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
Moreover, these two Great Lakes offer multiple opportunities for employment. These lakes available for shipment of products, recreational fishing business, and other industries. Given the vast size of the two Great Lakes, they easily sustain vast fleets of fishing vessels, tugs, barges, and other shipping vessels. In addition, the lakes provide customers with a variety of recreation activities available to the public such as hunting, snowmobiling, and boating. As a result, the two Great Lakes attract a great deal of tourists every year as millions of visitors are drawn to these attractions annually.
Beyond that, the two Great Lakes are seen as a reliable form of energy. Generating power from water is much cleaner than from fossil fuels, making the two Great Lakes a green alternative energy source. In addition, the presence of these two Great Lakes has enabled manufacturers to use their waters as a source of coolant for their plants. This has enabled them to reduce their air conditioning costs drastically. Finally, these two Great Lakes are essential for providing fresh drinking water to many cities and towns throughout the region.
Environmental Impacts
The two states of Wisconsin and Michigan have taken measures to protect their natural resources, due to the geographical significance of the two Great Lakes. They have implemented regulations and policies to protect the environment. For instance, the state has enacted water quality standards to reduce nutrient runoff and resulting algal blooms as well as “buffer zones” along shorelines to prevent development, among many other efforts. The introduction of such policies are critical towards preserving the biodiversity, maintaining the natural habitats, and significantly reduces the risk of eutrophication taking place.
In addition, it has been proven that tourism extensively affects the two Great Lakes as well. Despite the positive economic benefits of tourism, overdevelopment and pollution has been linked to the influx of such activities. Examples of this include the presence of excessive litter and waste, increased noise levels and the degradation of ecological integrity. Consequently, it is important for the two states to regulate certain activities and provide adequate management efforts to protect the two Great Lakes.
Moreover, the presence of invasive species is another major issue that needs to be addressed. Invasive species disrupt and alter the composition, structure, and function of Lakes Superior and Michigan ecosystems, leading to worse water quality and reduced biodiversity. As such, it is important to focus on prevention, early detection, and ensuring that these organisms don’t spread beyond their current populations as well as tackling the root causes behind their introduction. Conservation and scientific efforts are mainly needed in order to prevent the extinction of vulnerable species but also to keep the ecosystems healthy.
Cultural Aspect
Both Wisconsin and Michigan have a rich cultural identity that is strongly related to the two Great Lakes, mainly due to their position in the middle of the country. The presence of these lakes is deeply interwoven with the cultures, histories and economies of the two states, enabling both states to construct a unique sense of belonging, identity and belonging amongst all citizens of Wisconsin and Michigan. The two lakes also create a common understanding amongst both states and give an opportunity to share and shape their collective identity.
The two states also possess an extensive history of shared cultural customs, traditions and lifestyles that are strongly linked to the Great Lakes region. These may involve the native Americans, local tribes that have inhabited this region since time immemorial, a series of migrations, wars and political decisions. This rich cultural heritage provides important clues to the future of the society, connecting traditions with the environment and creating a strong sense of pride amongst them.
Moreover, the two states have been the subject of countless works of literature, art and music that have recognized the Great Lakes’ environmental, cultural and economic importance. The presence of the Great Lakes in these works reflects the inextricably intertwined linkage between the two states and the Great Lakes, providing an indispensable source of inspiration, reflection and understanding.
Sustenance of Both States
The two Great Lakes are essential for the sustainability of both Wisconsin and Michigan as they provide water for both drinking and agricultural purposes in addition to providing important sources of energy, employment, and recreation. These two states heavily depend on the two Great Lakes for their resources and services in order to make sure the area prospers and flourishes.
For instance, it has been proven that one of the main sources of financial income for the two states comes from the forestry industry and most of the trees used in this sector are harvested from within the Great Lakes basin. In addition, farmers rely on these two Great Lakes as a source of irrigation, to supply their crops with the necessary water they need in order to thrive. As such, the relationship between these two Great Lakes and the two states is symbiotic as these two are heavily dependent on each other for their livelihood.
Furthermore, Wisconsin and Michigan rely on the two Great Lakes for both public and economic health, with each being vital for how the area sustains itself. As such, it is important for the two states to ensure the preservation of the two Great Lakes in order to protect these incredible natural resources and provide health, safety and economic opportunities for its inhabitants. It is also important for both states to increase efforts on the preservation of the two Great Lakes in order to protect their environment, native species, and cultural heritage.
