Whenever we talk about lakes in the US, only the five Great Lakes come to our minds.Although known for the Great Lakes worldwide, the entire USA is filled with bountiful, beautiful lakes overlooking the states. While most of them are of glacial origin, many artificial ones have made their names on the biggest lakes in the USA.Lakes in the US enhance the beauty of the landscape and serve a variety of human needs like transportation and recreation. Thousands of lakes are found across this country, some spilling into Canada, displaying their own scenic beauty. Lakes are the most sought-after gateway points, such as enjoying a beautiful sunset by the lake or viewing a picturesque Cityline dotted with numerous tall skyscrapers. Out of all the lakes, five of them are called the Great Lakes because of their surface area and volume of water. While Lake Superior is the largest lake in North America, the four other lakes are Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Spread across all the states, the biggest lakes are arranged in descending order based on their surface area, average depth.Are you intrigued to know more about the biggest lakes in the USA? Read on to find out amazing pieces of information.Also, find out exciting facts about the second largest of the great lakes and five great lakes here.Fantastic Facts About The Biggest Lakes In USAThese fascinating facts are enough to explain what is so great about the Great Lakes.Apart from being the largest of all Great Lakes, Lake Superior boasts being the biggest freshwater lake in the world. It is almost as big as Austria, covering a vast area of 31,700 sq mi (82,103 sq km). Owing to its large surface area, its waves are also large enough to cause catchment flooding. More than 200 rivers feed Lake Superior, making it 482.2 ft (147 m) deep. Apart from its magnificence, Lake Superior is also the cleanest and coldest lake in the country, covering the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and parts of Ontario in Canada.Coming second only to Lake Superior is the “Sweetwater Sea” of the US. Lake Huron flowing through Michigan and Ontario in Canada spans over a surface area of 23,000 sq mi (59,570 sq km). Offering the longest lake shoreline of 3825.6 mi (6,157 km), Lake Huron got its name from its ancient settlers, the Wyandot Indians or Hurons. Although this biggest lake projects a scenic landscape, Lake Huron has been hit by severe storms time and again, sinking numerous ships and their sailors. World’s largest freshwater island, Mountain Island, is located amidst this lake.Lake Michigan is one of the largest lakes in the US that do not spill over the US borders. Flowing over Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, Lake Michigan covers a surface area of 22,300 sq mi (57,757 sq km). Until the construction of a canal, the Chicago River emptied into Lake Michigan until 1900, when it reversed its flow direction. The lake exhibits a densely populated shoreline with over 12 million people with tourism as the prime source of income and recreation.Where the native American Erie tribes resided now hosts over one-third of the total population of Great Lakes and has the most polluted water. The shallowest of all lakes with a maximum depth of only 209.7 ft (64 m), Lake Erie spreads over the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Ontario in Canada. While the water of the Detroit River flows into Lake Erie, this lake flowing through Pennsylvania empties into the Niagara River.Emerging out of the mighty Niagara Falls is the fifth of the largest lakes, Lake Ontario. Spanning over 7,340 sq mi (19,010 sq km), it flows across the borders of the USA and Canada over the states of New York, Ontario respectively.Wonderful Facts About The Biggest Lakes In USAFind out the largest lakes other than the great lakes in the USA along with some exciting facts that are not to be missed.The largest lake is a saline one located in Utah is the Great Salt Lake. It is the largest saltwater lake in the western hemisphere, with a surface area of 2,117 sq mi (5,483 sq km). Owing to its high salinity due to the solution of over 1.1 million tons of fine minerals, the Great Salt Lake is also known as ‘America’s Dead Sea.’ Humans can easily remain afloat due to the lake’s high salinity, but it also hosts a flourished biodiversity.Another large lake with a surface area of 1,485 sq mi (3,846 sq km) is the Lake of the Woods. The lake flows across Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario in Canada is a favorite among the tourists and bird watchers, offering a plethora of recreational activities and bird sightings. Interestingly, the Lake of the Woods path divides Minnesota’s Angle Township and Northwest Angle into two parts in a way that traveling between these two places can only be possible either by crossing the lake or by going via Canada.After the Lake of the Woods is the largest lake of Alaska in terms of its surface area, measuring 1,014 sq mi (2,626 sq km), the Iliamna Lake. Draining into the Bristol Bay, Iliamna Lake got its name after an unseen creature called the Iliamna Lake Monster. This lake of Alaska successfully enables the spawning of Red salmon, making it the world’s largest breeding ground. This lake has the world’s longest lake shoreline of 25,000 mi (40233.6 km), where wildlife like bald eagles, mongoose, lake trout, and bears are found.Lake Becharof is another lake of Alaska having great economic importance owing to its sockeye salmon breeding grounds. This lake is also a part of the National Wildlife Refuge because of its biodiversity. Selawik Lake is another lake in Alaska, the majority of which remains frozen. The effects of global warming and climate change are changing the nature of this lake, adversely affecting its wildlife.Interesting Facts About The Biggest Lakes In USAWhat is more thrilling is that the long list of the biggest lakes isn’t over, and there is more to it.The reservoir of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River has turned into the ninth-largest freshwater lake in the USA, named Lake Oahe. Connecting North Dakota and South Dakota, Lake Oahe is an artificial lake that produces hydroelectricity and hosts a range of recreational activities inviting over 1.5 million tourists annually. The aquatic life of Lake Oahe blooms with fish species like northern pike, pallid sturgeon, walleye, etc. Flowing up to South Dakota, it stretches over 372 km with an average depth of 203.4 ft (62 m).Another largest lake in the US yet having the shallowest depth is Lake Okeechobee, with a surface area of 662 sq mi (1,714 sq km). Located in Florida, Lake Okeechobee is quite susceptible to hurricanes due to its hurricane zone location. Its average depth is only 9 ft (2.7 m) but is ironically named ‘Big Waters.’ The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail offers the visitors of Florida a plethora of scenic attractions and activities, but its highly polluted water is threatening the aquatic biodiversity.Recovering from 2010’s devastating Deepwater Horizon oil spills, Lake Pontchartrain comes second in the category of saltwater lakes in the USA. Located in Louisiana, it extends over a surface area of 631 sq mi (1,634 square km). It beautifully sits between the mouth of the Missippi River debouching into the Gulf of Mexico.Surprising Facts About The Biggest Lakes In USAThe jaw-dropping facts are not over yet as lakes have more surprises to uncover apart from measuring their surface area.Lake St. Clair (Michigan, Ontario) is another of the largest lakes in the USA, spreading over 430 sq mi (1,114 sq km). This unique lake connects major water bodies like Lake Erie and River Detroit with Lake Huron and St. Clair River. Up next comes the lake found across Minnesota Ontario Rainy Lake. Spread over 345 sq mi (894 sq km), this lake is known for its surreal beauty. You can also enjoy the northern lights from the dark shorelines of this lake.Devils Lake, known as the ‘Perch Capital of the World’, has a mix of excellent and devilish traits and is the largest freshwater lake in North Dakota. The enormous amounts of farm fields draining the lake have not only extended its surface area but have also flooded lands submerging over 300 houses. Another saline lake is the Salton Sea of California that is saline enough to kill its aquatic life and makes boating impossible, unlike the Great Salt Lake. The Red Lake of Minnesota is a lake where fishing is only allowed to the native tribes of the region. This lake covering 427 sq mi (1,106 sq km), connects Upper Red Lake of Minnesota and Lower Red Lake.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for the biggest lakes in the USA, then why not take a look at Lake Michigan Facts or Lake Ontario?
Whenever we talk about lakes in the US, only the five Great Lakes come to our minds.
