Introduction
North America contains the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. The five Great Lakes alone hold 21% of Earth's surface freshwater.
Canada has more lake area than any other country, with an estimated 2 million lakes scattered across its vast territory.
1. Lake Superior
- Area: 82,100 km²
- Countries: USA, Canada
- Max Depth: 406 m
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world. Its waters are cold enough that they can preserve shipwrecks for centuries.
The lake holds 10% of all surface freshwater on Earth. A single wave can reach 6 meters during November storms.
2. Lake Huron
- Area: 59,600 km²
- Countries: USA, Canada
- Notable: Manitoulin Island
Lake Huron contains Manitoulin Island, the world's largest freshwater island. Georgian Bay on its eastern side is so large it's sometimes treated as a separate lake.
The lake was the first Great Lake discovered by European explorers (French missionaries in 1615).
3. Lake Michigan
- Area: 57,800 km²
- Country: USA only
- Depth: 282 m
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the United States. Its eastern shore has sand dunes up to 140 meters high.
Technically, Lakes Michigan and Huron are one lake connected by the Straits of Mackinac, which would make the combined body the largest freshwater lake in the world.
4. Great Bear Lake
- Area: 31,153 km²
- Country: Canada
- Notable: Largest lake entirely in Canada
Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canadian borders. It sits partly within the Arctic Circle and remains frozen for 8 months per year.
Port Radium on its shore was the site of a uranium mine that supplied material for the Manhattan Project.
5. Great Slave Lake
- Area: 27,200 km²
- Country: Canada
- Depth: 614 m
Great Slave Lake is the deepest lake in North America at 614 meters. Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, sits on its northern shore.
Ice roads across the lake in winter are vital transportation links for remote communities and mines.
6. Lake Erie
- Area: 25,700 km²
- Countries: USA, Canada
- Depth: 64 m (shallowest Great Lake)
Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes. It is the most biologically productive, supporting a massive fishery.
In the 1960s, the lake was declared "dead" from pollution, but a massive cleanup made it one of the great environmental success stories.
7. Lake Winnipeg
- Area: 24,514 km²
- Country: Canada
- Nickname: Sixth Great Lake
Lake Winnipeg is sometimes called "Canada's sixth Great Lake" due to its size. It drains into Hudson Bay via the Nelson River.
The lake has been suffering from algal blooms caused by agricultural runoff, threatening its ecosystem.
8. Lake Ontario
- Area: 19,009 km²
- Countries: USA, Canada
- Depth: 244 m
Lake Ontario is the smallest and easternmost Great Lake. Despite its relatively small surface area, it is deeper than Erie and Huron.
Toronto, Canada's largest city, and Rochester, NY sit on its shores.
9. Lake Athabasca
- Area: 7,935 km²
- Country: Canada
- Location: Alberta/Saskatchewan
Lake Athabasca sits on the edge of the Canadian Shield and the Athabasca Oil Sands. It is an important habitat for caribou, wolves, and waterfowl.
The lake receives water from the Athabasca River, raising concerns about pollution from oil sands operations upstream.
10. Reindeer Lake
- Area: 6,650 km²
- Country: Canada
- Location: Manitoba/Saskatchewan
Reindeer Lake is one of the largest lakes in Canada and one of the most remote. It is famous for world-class fishing, particularly for lake trout and northern pike.
The lake has thousands of islands and is virtually undeveloped.
Key Facts
- The five Great Lakes together hold 21% of the world's surface freshwater.
- Canada has more lake area than any other country, with roughly 2 million lakes.
- Lake Superior alone could hold enough water to cover North and South America 30 cm deep.
- Great Slave Lake is deeper than any of the five Great Lakes at 614 meters.
- Lakes Michigan and Huron are technically one lake, which would make it the largest freshwater lake in the world.
Fun Facts
- Lake Superior is so cold that bodies of drowning victims are sometimes preserved for decades in near-perfect condition.
- Lake Erie was declared "dead" in the 1960s but has since recovered, thanks to the Clean Water Act.
- Great Bear Lake's uranium mine supplied material for the atomic bombs used in World War II.
- Lake Winnipeg's ice fishing season draws thousands of anglers who build temporary villages on the frozen lake.
Final Thoughts
North America's lakes are some of the largest and most important freshwater resources on Earth. The Great Lakes alone influence the climate, economy, and ecology of an entire region larger than many countries.
