Exploring the Origins of Lake Huron and Lake Ontario
Lake Huron and Lake Ontario are two of the five Great Lakes of North America and have captivated the attention of the public and researchers alike. The exploration and discovery of these two lakes have been shrouded in mystery and enigma in equal parts, never quite providing a straightforward answer to the questions that have been on everyone’s minds since the first accounts of the Great Lakes were made.
Historians have traced the origin of the two lakes to a place in the distant past, as far back as the 1600s when the first attempt at finding them was made. It has been established that traders, settlers and missionaries were the first to discover the lakes in the 1600s and 1700s. The first recorded
attempt to map out the entirety of the Great Lakes was made by the British military in the year 1759, leading to the creation of the Great Lakes maps.
The initial discovery of Lake Huron and Lake Ontario is often credited to Jesuit priest Louis Hennepin, who was part of the exploratory party sent out by the French explorer La Salle. Father Hennepin is also credited with being the one of the first to have named the lakes, labelling them as “Lac des Hurons” and “Lac des Iroquois” when he first mapped them out.
British explorer Alexander Henry Sr. is also credited with having discovered some parts of Lake Huron at the turn of the 19th century. Following closely in his footsteps, British Navy officer John Graves Simcoe and his team are credited with having assembled what is now known as the Great Lakes maps in 1795.
Canadian geographer John A. Barron and his team were at the forefront of the discovery of Lake Huron in the early 19th century. After successfully navigating the height of Lake Ontario, Barron and his team charted the course of Lake Huron, effectively laying the first foundation for the map of the Great Lakes.
In the coming decades, expeditions by American and Canadian scientists led to the further exploration of Lake Ontario and the uncovering of its hidden depths. Structures like Sault Ste Marie and Niagara Falls were discovered in the process, further deepening the mysteries of these two majestic lakes.
It was during the mid-1800s that American zoologist Louis Agassiz and British geologist Sir James Hall led expeditions to both Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. However, it was not until the late 19th century and the early 20th century that full maps of the two lakes had been completed.
The Great Lakes: A Closer Look
The Great Lakes are some of the largest and most impressive bodies of freshwater on the planet. Their sheer size and the tremendous ecological, economic and social importance have been captivating the hearts and minds of people for centuries. Collectively, these five large lakes form the single largest body of freshwater on the Earth and make up about 21% of the world’s fresh surface water.
The Great Lakes comprise of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Apart from Lake Ontario and Lake Huron, which are connected to each other by the Saint Lawrence River, the remaining lakes are all connected to one another via links such as the Detroit River and the Niagara River. Experienced navigators and fisherman will tell you that the interconnected system of the Great Lakes can make for some of the most spectacular sailing adventures in the world.
From the serene blue waters of Lake Superior to the vibrant Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes are bursting with a wealth of wildlife species and natural beauty. Both Lake Ontario and Lake Huron are rich with fish populations and various other forms of aquatic life, making them some of the most popular destinations for recreational fisherman from around the world. The many wetlands and swamps in the region have a particular draw for bird-watchers as well, with around 130 distinct species of birds having been documented around the lakes.
The Great Lakes are also the main source of freshwater for many local cities and communities, from industrial towns to large metropolitan centers. On a global scale, the tremendous energy generated from the Lakes has been a driving force for the economic growth of North America, making them an invaluable asset to both the Canadian and US economy.
Conclusion
The origin of Lake Huron and Lake Ontario is an intriguing mystery that has been the source of fascination for many researchers over the years. Many different accounts and theories have been offered in an attempt to provide an explanation, with modern day historians crediting the initial discovery of the two lakes to explorers and military personnel in the 1600s and 1700s. Despite their intricate history, the Great Lakes remain some of the most impressive natural phenomena in the world, providing a unique window into the richness and beauty of our planet.
