{"id":8810,"date":"2023-10-21T16:15:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-21T15:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/?p=8810"},"modified":"2023-10-21T16:15:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-21T15:15:12","slug":"what-is-lake-superior-known-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/what-is-lake-superior-known-for\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Lake Superior Known For"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wildlife<\/h2>\n

Lake Superior is home to many species of wildlife, from birds and fish to mammals, reptiles and amphibians. There are many kinds of fish, including lake trout, lake whitefish, walleye and lake herring. The lake also hosts larger fish such as northern pike, muskellunge and sturgeon. Birds such as terns and Purple Loons can also be found in and around the lake, and there are plenty of mammals such as beavers, otters, deer and foxes that roam its shores. Reptiles and amphibians like snakes, frogs and turtles also inhabit the lake.
\nLake Superior provides a unique ecosystem that supports an abundant and varied wildlife, and its shoreline supports one of the most productive wetlands in the world. It also serves as a crucial refuge for threatened or endangered species like the Piping Plover and Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Lake Superior is also home to a group of rare and threatened snakes, known as the Lake Superior Watersnakes, which inhabit the lakebed and can be found nowhere else in the world. <\/p>\n

History and Culture<\/h2>\n

Humans have lived and worked around Lake Superior for centuries, and the lake is steeped in both culture and history. For instance, the Ojibwe People, who call the lake Gichigami, were among the first to inhabit its shores. There are also French-Canadian settlements along the lake, including Little Current, which has had a continuous year-round population since 1855. In addition, many of the lighthouses dotting the lake’s shores are now owned and maintained by local communities and make for popular tourist attractions.
\nThe lake is also a symbol of environmental stewardship. For example, the state of Michigan established the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in 2005 in order to protect the lake’s wetlands and ecosystems. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972 is an important agreement between the United States and Canada that protects the lake’s natural resources and helps to keep it clean and healthy for future generations. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan have also all passed clean air regulations that help to reduce air pollution from large industrial sources near the lake.<\/p>\n

Climate and Recreation<\/h2>\n

Lake Superior has a unique and varied climate which changes depending on the season and location on the lake. Its waters are cold year-round, with summer temperatures ranging from 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit and winter temperatures ranging from -25-29 degrees. The lake also experiences intense storms during the winter months, which can bring high winds and huge waves.
\nDespite its frigid temperatures and unpredictable weather, Lake Superior is still popular with visitors and locals alike. People come to the lake to enjoy its beaches, camping and natural beauty. The lake is also popular for angling, with several fish species inhabiting the lake and many marinas, fishing charters and other resources available to visitors.<\/p>\n

Geology and Natural Resources<\/h2>\n

Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes by area, and it lies in an ancient rift valley which was carved by glaciers. The lakebed is composed of ancient sedimentary deposits ranging from siltstone to limestone and several fossils have even been discovered near its shoreline. The lake also serves as an important source of freshwater for the region and its watershed covers an area of nearly 200,000 square miles.
\nThe lake is also home to many natural resources, particularly minerals like copper, zinc, gold, silver and taconite. Many of these resources are mined in and around the lake, and the lake is also home to several shipping ports and docks, which facilitate the export of many of these resources.<\/p>\n

Natural Disturbances and Pollution<\/h2>\n