Intro to Great Lakes
We are fortunate to be part of the 20% of Canadian shoreline land owners and not only do we have an incredible backyard and view; we now have clear understanding of Plastic Pollution in our Great Lakes. With this unfortunate discover, we are now actively taking steps to reduce the use of Plastic for as many people as we possibly can.
This brief post will provide a clearer understanding of our Great Lakes and how they play a critical role in lives of so many citizens living in Canada and US.
Where did these come from?
Our Great Lakes began to form almost 10,000 years ago as the Laurentide ice sheet receded to reveal the large depression it had made over the years and filled them clear, pure glacier water we now call our Great Lakes.
These 5 majestic bodies are providing living areas for 31% of Canadians and 10% of Americans who also enjoy the view! Our Great Lakes provide clean drinking water for over 40 million in surrounding area and considered an economic engine for the Midwest region – appropriately 40% of Canadian GDP is created around these Great Lakes. This would also account for 15% of the US GDP creating thriving communities and jobs for millions of Canadian and US employees!
These massive impression left are easily seen from space as they spawn over 244,000 km2 equal to the size of several countries including Guinea, Romania, Loas, UK and almost New Zealand. Understandable this represents the largest freshwater surface in the world including over 17,000 km of pristine shoreline which is more than from Earth to the Stratosphere which is 10-30km away! Agriculture is also thriving in this region as these large bodies of water have a positive impact with growing crops, grapes, grains and more.
Let’s break them down.
As the name would imply our largest Great Lake would be Superior with 82,100 km2 surface area. The next larger lake tied for second as Lake Huron has 59,565 km2 surface area compared to Lake Michigan with 57,753 km2. However, when you compare Cubic volumes Lake Michigan 4,918 km and Lake Huron is only 3,538 km. Lake Erie would be the next largest lake with surface are of 25,655 km2 leaving Lake Ontario 19,009 km2 as the smallest.
Every day freshwater flows through each of them to use the St Laurence River to the Atlantic Ocean to become part this massive salt water journey.
Stay tuned for new post titled “Great Lakes Intro”
As you can plainly these Great Lakes means so more than just remnants of some frozen. There are millions of people the Mid-west region depending on and drink this precious watering hole that asks for nothing but to be protected and treated with respect. As for part this life giving gift, we can ensure this this value resource is always shared and protected from pollution, corruption, administration and corporations.
Here area few great resources
Home Page – Great Lakes Commission (glc.org)
Home: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory – Ann Arbor, MI, USA