The entire eastern border of one state of the United States is shared with one of the Great Lakes of North America, Lake Michigan. That state is Indiana. It’s an important body of water, contributing vastly to the economic livelihood of the state. People come from all over the country to experience its breathtaking beauty and recreational activities.
The Great Lakes form a fifth of the world’s fresh surface water. This is nearly 21 percent of the world’s total fresh surface water. The Great Lakes basin governs the largest quantity of fresh water lakes in the world also. Lake Michigan is the second largest of the five Great Lakes. It is nearly 307 miles long and 90 miles wide at its widest point, with a shoreline of 1,640 miles.
The lake connects Indiana to major port cities, such as Chicago. It also serves as a major transportation corridor for cities along its eastern border. Indiana’s access to the lake provides a great economic advantage, as it’s able to ship products, goods and commodities quickly to major markets and foreign countries.
Recreational activities thriving in this area include sailing, swimming, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Sport fishing is a major activity in Lake Michigan, with over 30 fish species. Birding is another popular activity in this area, especially at Indiana Dunes National Park. It is one of the top birdwatching locations in the state and is home to more than 300 species of migratory birds, including American Bald Eagles.
In addition to its beautiful scenery, Lake Michigan gives Indiana access to one of the greatest powers of nature: water power. The surrounding areas steal a great deal of energy from the lake which is used for heating, cooling, and industrial production. The lake also serves as an intake for drinking water for some cities in Indiana.
The health of this Great Lake is vital for the state and for the local population. The pollution of the lake is a growing concern and the current condition of the lake is far from pristine. It’s imperative that the citizens of Indiana take the necessary steps to ensure that the lake is clean and safe for swimming and recreation in the years to come.
Uses of the Lake in Industry
The entire eastern state of Indiana, U.S.A., shares its entire eastern boarder with one of the largest and most used bodies of water in the world; Lake Michigan. The lake is mainly used for recreational activities, but it also serves an important role as a powerhouse for many industries in the mid-west.
The lake is used as an intake for many cities in Indiana to take in fresh drinking water, which is incredibly important for the locals of this large Midwestern state. The lake is also used to power many industries around the edge of the lake like steel foundries, plastics factories, and grain elevators.
The lake is connected to the Detroit port, which allows the exports of Midwest goods to be shipped to many of the major cities around the world. This opens up economic opportunities for the people of Indiana to continue to have access to the global economy and export goods to the rest of the world.
The agricultural industry around Lake Michigan is also incredibly important. The farmers around the lake access an abundance of fresh water from the lake. They use the fresh water to water their crops, irrigate their fields, feed the live stock, and even for the production of their dairy farms.
The industries around the lake are vital for the overall health of the mid-west economy. Without the Lake being so close to the state, the region would of had a difficult time having the resources to become one of the major powerhouse states in the U.S.
Biodiversity of the Lake
Lake Michigan is home to many different wild-life species, each playing an important role in the overall health of the environment. It is home to some of the most colorful and rare species in the world and it remains the most biodiverse of all the Great Lakes.
The lake is home to more than 30 species of fish, including Lake Trout,Steelhead, and Chinook Salmon, which account for a large portion of the lake’s biodiversity. The lake also supports numerous migratory birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The largest of these mammals is the Grey Wolf, which inhabits the evergreen forests of the area.
Wild-life viewing and outdoor recreation are both hugely popular activities that many people enjoy on their vacations around the lake. There are numerous wild-life preserves, recreational parks, and freshwater beaches around the lake, ideal for the wildlife viewing.
Unfortunately, due to industrial pollution, the lake’s western shore is becoming increasingly murky and polluted, affecting the lake’s biodiversity in a negative way. Conservationists and environmental groups are working day and night to protect the lake’s wildlife and water quality.
The state of Indiana is working hard to protect the lake and its wildlife, in order to preserve its natural beauty. Laws have been passed in the state to introduce fishing regulations, wildlife protection plans, and water quality standards, all of which aim to ensure the safety and well-being of the lake’s wild-life and ecosystem.
Environmental Impact of the Lake
Due to the direct and immediate border that Indiana has with Lake Michigan, the state has a direct responsibility to protect the lake and its natural environment. The lake has been suffering from environmental damage for many years and this damage has had a direct and indirect impact on the state of Indiana, and its citizens.
The water levels of the lake have been continually rising due to a combination of factors. Climate change has been the primary cause of the rise, as extreme weather patterns have begun to become more common in the Great Lakes area.
With the rise of water levels, comes the increased chance of flooding and erosion. This could lead to catastrophic events such as the flooding of cities along the shoreline and the destruction of property, homes and businesses.
This could also lead to the destruction of beaches and beach front property, another major economic asset in the state of Indiana. Additionally, the invasive species that have been making their way into the lake have been damaging the natural environment and creating an imbalance in the ecosystem.
In response to this, the state of Indiana as well as the U.S. Government have taken steps to protect the lake and its environment. These include passing laws and regulations to control the pollution entering the lake and introducing strategies to combat the invasive species.
In addition to this, long-term plans are being created to ensure that the lake is kept healthy for generations to come. The impact of the lake will always be important for the state of Indiana, and it is thus the responsibility of the state to work hard to ensure its future success and health.
Social Impact of the Lake
The Lake Michigan basin is home to many different populations, including farmers, fishermen, industrial workers and recreational users. The social impact of the lake is immense and has changed the face of the Midwest both socially and economically.
The lake has been a source of recreation ever since it was discovered by early French explorers in the late 1600s. It has always been a playground for the people of Michigan and Indiana, with beaches, waterfront communities, and fishing villages along its shores.
The lake has also been an important economic asset for the Midwest, with its industries, ports and transportation corridors powering the local economy. It has allowed for the export of goods, services and commodities from the Midwest to the rest of the world.
On top of this, the lake has been a source of life and sustenance for many of the Indigenous people who lived around its shores. The lake was an important source of food, water and spiritual connection for many tribes.
Finally, the lake serves an important role in protecting the Midwest from the harshest elements of nature. It acts as a buffer and a protector from tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters. It is also a great source of clean drinking water for many of the Midwest’s cities and towns.
The lake will forever remain an important part of Indiana and its people, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure its survival for generations to come.
