Where Is Lake Superior
Lake Superior is one of the five Great Lakes of North America located between the United States – Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan – and Canada – Ontario and Quebec. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume. Deemed a globally-important ecosystem and the Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is home to amazing native species, such as the common loon, bald eagle, and moose, as well as unique geographical features, from ports and customs, to lighthouses and waterfalls.
Lake Superior’s most breathtaking feature is its sheer size. The surface area of the lake encompasses 32,900 square miles, and it is four hundred miles long and 160 miles wide – about the size of South Carolina. It holds in its depths an unimaginable amount of water too. Approximately two thousand five hundred cubic miles of fresh water – the equivalent of all the water in all the other Great Lakes combined – can be found in Lake Superior.
Bordered by the three states in the United States and two provinces in Canada, Lake Superior is the largest source of freshwater in the world. It is also a picturesque vacation destination. With stunning landscapes, hidden islands to explore, creative cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere, Lake Superior provides the perfect getaway for travelers seeking an idyllic escape. The Great Lakes Circle Tour – a 3,500 mile road trip around Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario – is a popular destination for people from around the world.
Apart from being a breathtaking vacation destination, Lake Superior is also one of the few untamed and free-flowing freshwater seas in the world. Its deep waters and long, curved coastline make it a haven for a number of native species of fish, mammals and birds, as well as various marine plants. Ecologists regularly monitor the lake’s wide variety of flora and fauna, and local government works to keep the lake’s waters clean and unpolluted.
Lake Superior is not just a tourist hot spot, it is also a major source of hydroelectric power. Its volume of water and the large drop of more than two hundred feet from Lake Superior to Lake Huron on the other side make it ideal for hydroelectricity production. The river system that feeds into the lake also provides an excellent source of sustainable power for communities along the lake’s edge.
In recent years, Lake Superior has become one of North America’s most beloved and unique ecosystems. Its deep waters and scenic shorelines, along with its unique biodiversity, make it a prime destination for travelers, recreation seekers and nature lovers. It is truly a crown jewel of North America’s Great Lakes.
Environment and Ecology
The vast and ancient Lake Superior is a marvel of natural beauty, pristine shorelines, and abundant habitats. Its size and health have attracted and sustained generations of fish and wildlife. Although Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake, exactly how vast and healthy it remains is due largely to the environment, ecology and stewardship of the many people who inhabit and manage its region.
The basin of Lake Superior is an intricate mosaic of interconnected ecosystems. Its various habitats provide essential services and support a wide range of species, from shorelines and wetlands to the deep depths of its cold waters. In 2015, the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, the first of its kind in the United States, was established, which is contributing to research and restoring and protecting the area.
The ecosystems of Lake Superior are also particularly vulnerable to human activities such as pollution, coastal development, and climate change. People visit the lake for leisure, but can also bring significant negative impacts to its waters. For this reason, it is important that stakeholders and local governments take steps to protect and manage the region’s natural environment. This includes using green methods of energy production and limiting non-essential activities such as watercraft traffic.
Elsewhere in North America, Lake Superior’s conditions contrast starkly with that of the other Great Lakes. It is much cleaner and less polluted than the other Lakes, making it a valuable resource for the environment. The lake is also home to a number of commercially viable fish species, making it an important resource for commercial fishing operations and the communities that depend on them.
Lake Superior is a unique and remarkable ecosystem with a great deal of integral importance to its region and North America as a whole. It is a prime example of nature’s strength and resilience, as well as the need to continue to protect and nurture it.
The Local Economy
The lake’s economies thrive on the lake itself, but also on its entrance to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway. This has made Lake Superior a major hub of regional economic activity and an important contributor to national and global trade.
The lake’s ports, involving both the United States and Canadian sides, are among the major shipping hubs in North America for iron ore, coal, grain, and lumber shipments to Europe and the Americas. Along with the tourism and recreation industries, shipping has played a major role in the lake’s economic development.
One of the lake’s major contributions to North American commerce is the Upper Great Lakes Port Cities Strategic Initiative – a program aiming to make the lodges of the Great Lakes “smart ports”. By utilizing advanced data, analytics and technology, the program has the potential to significantly increase port efficiency and productivity.
Moreover, the lake itself has created jobs in the form of shipbuilding, seafood harvesting, and recreational activities, including fishing and sailing. Tourism and recreation have become a major economic driver in the region, with thousands of visitors coming each year to enjoy the exquisite waters and captivating views of Lake Superior.
The economic benefits of Lake Superior extend beyond the recreation, trade and localized activities of its ports. The waters of the lake provide a unique and valuable ecosystem that could truly benefit from more sustainable management and development practices.
Health and Recreation
The stunning environment of Lake Superior makes it a perfect destination for recreation. Every summer, people flock to its shores to swim, boat, fish, and even surf. The lake’s icy temperatures hardly pose a challenge to the brave surfers who have taken on its waves, and its many rivers, secluded bays and islands are perfect for kayaking and canoeing.
Fishing is one of the most popular activities on Lake Superior. The lake offers diverse species, including walleye, lake trout, whitefish, and herring. There are also species that don’t exist in any other body of water, such as ciscoes – a type of baitfish – and the Iliamna whitefish which inhabit Lakes Superior and Michigan.
On the ground, visitors can enjoy its vast network of hiking trails, from the leg of the Voyageurs National Park Trail in Minnesota to the leaf-strewn paths of Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains. Winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In addition, parks like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are perfect for camping and evenings spent watching the stars.
No matter how you choose to spend your time, Lake Superior offers endless opportunities to be surrounded by its beauty, explore its deep waters and relax in its many safe and peaceful natural overnight shelters. It is truly a remarkable place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Transportation Infrastructure
Lake Superior features various routes for commercial, recreational and government purposes and is served by a number of transportation infrastructure projects. Most notable is the Soo Locks, a set of locks located at Sault St. Marie, Michigen that enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes. Every year, more than 10,000 vessels pass through this key link, making it an important asset for the state.
The lake is also home to a number of ferry routes, connecting towns and cities on both sides of the lake. These ferries provide convenient, cost-efficient transportation for people, as well as cargo and vehicles. Moreover, world-class airports can be found in Duluth, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
In order to make traveling around the lake a more pleasant experience, many state and provincial governments have invested in the intercity passenger transportation infrastructure. The most popular long-distance buses, ferries and trains connect the five Great Lakes, making it easier and faster to explore the attractions of all five lakefront states and provinces.
The lake itself is also home to a number of superb marinas, docks and beaches, providing necessary services and protections for pleasure seekers, fishing enthusiasts and officials. This strong and varied transportation infrastructure, combined with its picturesque beaches, make Lake Superior an even more popular vacation destination.
Impact of Climate Change
As with many of the world’s great lakes and oceans, climate change is having a negative impact on the health and future of Lake Superior. Rising temperatures, which contribute to both melting ice and evaporation, affect the lake’s water level, which has dropped by more than a foot since the late 19th century. This has caused an increase in the amount of beachfront erosion and an overall decrease in the lake’s surface area.
Climate change also poses a number of other threats to the lake, such as increased algal blooms and toxic algae outbreaks. Warmer water temperatures pose a serious threat to native aquatic species, as some cannot tolerate the higher temperatures. Moreover, climate change can also increase the risk of invasive species, which can cause even more damage to the region’s ecosystem.
Fortunately, there are steps that stakeholders and local governments can take to help protect and preserve the lake. For example, investing in green energy sources, managing runoff and man-made pollutants, and cutting back on water consumption can all help reduce the effects of climate change. In addition, conservation efforts are essential for preserving and protecting Lake Superior’s natural beauty and diversity, as well as its valuable ecosystems.
