There are people who like to test the waters first before they take a dip. A good dip of a toe gives them an idea if it would be better to slowly introduce themselves into the water, or majestically dive (or flop) given the water is deep enough.
There are a lot more reasons why it’s important to understand the temperatures of lakes, especially when you’re going to take part in some kind of water activity. Temperatures influence where flora andfaunaform and frolic, it’s a measure of what you should bring with you, if you need to bring your best bikini or your coolest wetsuit, or if you need to know where the ice is thickest.
Lake Michigan is a large body of water, the second largest freshwater lake by volume among the Great Lakes. Large bodies of water can gather large amounts of energy, which can greatly affect the weather above it, as well as the temperatures of both the water and the wind. It could be a nice breezy afternoon in Chicago, but the center of Lake Michigan could very well be an oven.
Lake Michigan Temperatures During Summer
Summer is when the water seems most attractive. The hot air coupled with the cooling water makes for excellent swimming opportunities, great fishing as some of the lake’s sport fish climb up to the warmer waters, and the weather is perfect for simply enjoying the sun and perhaps getting a good tan.
Recent lake temperatures reported thatLake Michigan’swaters have an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) with the temperatures cooler closer to the center of the lake. Temperatures close to the shore have been measured higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius and higher).
It’s worth noting that the ideal lake temperature for swimming is around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (25-27 degrees Celsius), especially for children. For those who want to slim down by swimming, ideal temperatures should be cooler at around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (23-25 degrees Celsius).
Lake temperatures during winter can influence where the ice forms. Thin ice is one of the greater hazards of the lake, some of which is hard to identify especially for first-timers.
As of recent, the averagetemperatures in Lake Michigan during the winterseason are 36-39 degrees Fahrenheit (3-4 degrees Celsius). The temperature around the shores are lower and it gets slightly warmer as you go to the center of the lake. The shore temperature could go on the lower 30s (or sub-zero temperatures) and the center of the lake would be around 39 to 40, often climbing higher if it’s particularly sunny for a winter day.
Only the bravest would dare swim in the lake during these cold temperatures, but it hasn’t stopped people from doing so. Swimming during the winter is illegal in Lake Michigan, unless it’s from one of the open beaches, with a lifeguard on duty, or scuba diving off a boat. Refer to the local authorities to find out the exact laws in the area before you take that icy dive.
When we think of large bodies of fresh water, one of the more famous ones in the United States is the Great Lakes. Among them isLake Michigan, which is the only Great Lake fully encapsulated within the United States. It got its name from the Ojibwa Indian word “Mishigami or Michi-gami” which means “Large Lake”.
Spanning about 58,000 square kilometers and having an approximate water volume of 4920 cubic kilometers, it the second largest among the Great Lakes, second only to Lake Superior (hence the name).
With large bodies of water come greatrecreationand business, so what are the great recreations and businesses Lake Michigan is known for?
The City of Chicago and Lake Shore Drive
The best parts of the lake are close to the shores, where people can best enjoy land and water. Chicago is the go-to spot when you traverse Lake Michigan, which hosts numerous places for indoor shopping, outdoor recreation, and family must-sees like the aquariums, indoor ice-skating rinks, holiday festivals, and of course, Lake Shore Drive.
As its name suggests, the Lake Shore Drive is a long stretch of lake shoreline alongLake Michigan. The lengthy shore, stretching approximately 25 kilometers, is filled with all sorts of places to go such as the Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, Soldier Field, Buckingham Fountain, and of course, the sandy shores of the lake.
Lake Michigan’s Frozen Pier and Lighthouse
The St. Joseph North Pier features two lighthouses that take on a majestic form when winter arrives. During winter, on times when the tide is high and the waves crash on the lighthouse’s structures, it forms a ghostly ice veil around the entire structure, creating a haunting view of sleek ice spikes as if it was a creature that sprouted from the lonely icy waters. It makes for great photography. You can go there to get up close and personal if you want, just mind your step.
The Lake Michigan Triangle
An infamous area around Lake Michigan to the liking of the mysterious Bermuda Triangle. Around the area of Manitowoc, Ludington and Benton Harbor is where the theorized triangle is. The first mystery there was during 1891 when Thomas Hume sailed across the area for Lumber. He and his seven shipmates disappeared one night in that area, never to be seen again.
Another notable mystery is the disappearance of Northwest Flight 2501 in 1950. The airline flight that carried 58 people crashed into Lake Michigan, with their last report stating severe electrical storms and high-velocity winds. The plane vanished from radar and no wreckage was found.
To this day, there are reports of strange weather phenomena and UFO sightings in this area. In 2007, researchers discovered an ancient underwater rock formation similar to Stonehenge, and many people believe it was related to the mystery of the lake.
These are only some the many attractions Lake Michigan is known for and why we love it so much. There are many more, and they change as the seasons go by. Some attractions are great and some are small, but all that matters is you make the best of it. Tell us about your favorite Lake Michigan recreation activities and businesses in the comments below or check out ourLake Michigan inspired clothes and accessories.
Alongside the likes of Dennis Haskins, Tara Reid, and many more talented actors, LIVNFRESH is getting a ton of screen time in the upcoming 2018 film ‘United Colors of Bennett Song’. So just how often can you expect to see LIVNFRESH’s great clothes and designs come out in the film? From our count, the trailer alone has at least 10 of our designs on display:
Did you catch any of our stuff in there? Two of the easier designs to notice in the ‘United Colors of Bennett Song’ trailer include these classic LIVNFRESH designs:
What’s even better than our stuff being featured in this 2018 flick is that it looks like it’s going to be a wonderful film, too. We can’t wait to see it!
There are so many things to do in Lake Erie. In this article, we will list many of them so you can use this as a bit of a guide. This guide will not be complete. There are unlimited ways to enjoy the Lake. We can’t list them all here, so use this article as your starter kit. Get ideas from this article, but better if you create your own. The best way to enjoy Lake Erie is to find creative ways to enjoy it. Let’s Start:
Walk In The Park
There are various parks aroundLake Erie, and these include Cedar Point Amusement Park, Wildlife Refuge, Kelleys Island, Put-in-Bay and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. These are all good places to enjoy nature. These are excellent places, too, to pitch a tent and to go camping with friends. You can even go creative and do a movie marathon while you’re in the middle of these parks. The 100-mile stretch of shore in Lake Erie will give any tourist or a traveler that needs a breather. The Marblehead and Catawba peninsulas of the lake will offer any kind of tourist the view they need. Vacationers can stroll these parks, enjoy the breathtaking views and even do a bonfire in the middle of the forest. They can go trekking. They can explore the wild and enjoy the calm of the trees.
Victorian Houses
Another good thing that people can do in Lake Erie is to take a boat ride in Put-in-Bay Village. Explore the Victorian houses near the lake. Enjoy the historical homes in the Heineman’s Winery and Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. All of these are excellent places to dig into the history of the lake. This is also another good way for people to appreciate the diversity of the region.
Trip To Kelleys Island
Another fun thing to do in Lake Erie is to do kayaking in the Kelleys Island, which is Ohio’s quietest lake. Take selfies with the glacial grooves of the lake and admire the smooth ruts in the glaciers. Take witness at the bedrock near the lake. Take photos of the Victorian-era homes that are displayed around the towns. You can also explore Lake Erie by biking. Take a guided bike tour from a reliable tour center, and spend the entire day exploring the place.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
One good activity you can also do in Lake Erie is to take thrill rides at the Cedar Point Amusement Park. This park has carnivals, and a Ferris wheel for everyone in the family to enjoy. The roller coasters in the park are also the attraction of Lake Erie. This place may not be for the faint-hearted. This area of lake Erie may not be for those who are scared of heights. But, if families are not up for the challenge, they can just go for the Ferris wheels and carousels. They can ride those instead of pushing their adrenaline to the limits with dangerous rides. For those who want to try the rides, the 17 roller coasters available will offer a lovely view of the lake. This may make up for the fact that the roller coaster is such a difficult challenge to take.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Animal lovers have a reason tolove Lake Erie. With the lake’s wonderful selection of animals, many birdwatchers and animal lovers will flock to the place. In Lake Erie, you can find coyotes, foxes, and deer. You may be able to spot bald eagles while you’re riding a roller coaster. At the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, you may be able to see all the sampling of all the animals that reside in Lake Erie. You don’t have to camp in Lake Erie anymore. You just have to go to the
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Another good thing you can do inLake Erieis by visiting the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. You can do a lot of bird-watching in this area. The entire 25 miles of enclave in the marsh will be a fascinating place for families. Families and friends can also enjoy the boardwalk in the Toledo area. You can also go to the warbler migration in the wildlife area in the early Mid-May. There are countless spots in the forest that you can explore. The wildlife in marsh will give you all the adventure that you need. The Wildlife Area used to be a settlement until it was no longer so when the marsh was drained in the 1900s. And if you’re visiting Lake Erie from Michigan, make sure to show your love of our state with this coolMichigan D Cork Hat.
In this article, we will explore some of the questions that people ask about Lake Erie. People usually ask these questions because they either want to go there or they are simply curious about this great lake, which hassome interesting historybehind it. These people should get the right information to not mislead them. The online news they get could give them the wrong directions. It’s important that they get the facts. It’s important to always filter the effects from the noise.
How Deep Is Lake Erie?
In the deepest area of Lake Erie, the depth could go as deep as 210 feet or 64 meters deep. That’s a lot of depth. This makes Lake Eerie an exciting area to explore various water species. That extent means there’s so much to still discover in the lake.
Here’s some scuba diving showing what it looks like when you reach the bottom:
How Much Water Is In Lake Erie?
The answer to that is 480 km³. That’s a lot of water for an area that is not so expansive. This makes the place an ideal for boating, exploration and deep-lake fishing. There’s also a lot of fish to catch in the lake because of such big amount of water. People would enjoy the lake for various activities. It’s fun to explore this lake because of such water volume.
Where Is Lake Erie Located?
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest lake among the Great Lakes found in North America. Regarding surface area, this lake is the eleventh-largest in the whole world. To be exact, the area is situated near the International Boundary between the United States and Canada.
It’s also useful for you to know that the northern shore of Lake Erie has a boundary at the Canadian province of Ontario. At the west part of the region are the U.S. States of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Knowing this could come in handy later when you’re trying to explore the lands of the various states in the U.S.
Situated on the International Boundary between Canada and the United States, Lake Erie’s northern shore is filled with greenery and animal species, with the U.S. states of Michigan Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York on its western, southern and eastern shores fully bathed in flora. These jurisdictions divide the surface area of the lake with water boundaries.
How Big Is Lake Erie?
The answer to this question requires a little bit of research. But, reliable authorities say that it’s around 25,744 km², and it has a length of 388 km.
What Is The Temperature Of Lake Erie?
There’s a lot of variety in the temperature of Lake Erie, but 4 degrees Celsius is a safe average estimate of the temperature of Lake Erie. The fact that Lake Erie is in the southernmost position gives it a warm weather. In fact, the Lake could reach about 85 F (29 C), while the water temperatures could go around 70s F in the summer months. This type of weather makes the lake an ideal recreational area for families.
More Important Information About Lake Erie
There’s still a lot of information out therethat may interest you about Lake Erie. Some of these facts could help you in your research. If you’re in high school, this information could assist you in your school essays. Here are some of the facts that you may still don’t know about Lake Erie.
Did you know that Lake Erie has a tail-like shape in its geography? The name of the lake is derived from erielhonan, which is the Iroquoian word for “long tail”. It could also help you to know that the lake is 241 miles and is 57 miles long. It also boasts around 871 miles of shoreline, which could increase its size. This report is according to Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
It’s also helpful for you to know that Lake Erie originated as a moving glacier. It’s also a relatively young lake. Its formation also started from a divot from that glacier. Right now it is estimated that the Lake is only less than 4,000 years old, basing on its current configuration.
Another good trivia you could learn about Lake Erie is that many native peoples’ reside near the lake. The Erie tribe is one example. It’s also for your information to know that Lake Erie was the last Great Lake explored by Europeans.
Several native peoples lived on lake’s shores, including the Erie tribe and the Iroquois. Lake Erie was the last of the Great Lakes to be explored by Europeans. It was even confirmed that it was French Explorer Louis Joliet who “discovered” the lake in the year 1669.
War of 1812
It could also be helpful for you to know that Lake Erie played an instrumental role in the War of 1812. The Battle of Lake Erie happened near the lake on Sept 10, 1812. During the war, U.S. Navy ships defeated the army of British empire. The U.S. gained control of the lake and then held Detroit back to its command. This is a piece of history that people don’t usually learn now, but now you know. The lake is rich in history, and you should appreciate that.
It could also do you good to know that the Erie Canal is one of the gateways today to the West. This canal was completed last 1825, and it connects Lake Erie to the Hudson River in the east. The opening led to various trades and opportunities. It also opened an affordable way for traders to transport cargo. In the mid-1800s and 1903, the canal was expanded to cater to the growing trader’s demands. Right now, the area where the canal is located is just used for recreation.
Another relevant information you should know about Lake Erie is the topic of pollution. In the 1960s, Lake Erie faced a lot of controversies. Most of the controversy had something to do with how much pollutants the lake has. All of this is no longer a divisive problem when the Clean Air Act of 1972 was passed. Now, Lake Erie continues to be a place of fun and recreation.
If you’re planning on making a trip to the Great Lakes and need something warm to wear, check out our fun collection ofMichigan (and Great Lakes) Gear.
In this article, we will explore some of the answers to most of your questions about theanimal situation in Michigan. The information you find online may not be complete. They could be misleading. They could even be maddeningly confusing. Why trust any information about whatever you find online when everything you see on the web is biased? Everything online is prone to lies. Everything you read could be something that tries to upsell you. People have products to sell, and online is the best marketplace. This is not what we are going to do in this article. We will answer your questions because it matters to us. Snakes are dangerous, and you have to avoid them. If you’re in Michigan and you really want to avoid snakes, this article should help.
Are There Snakes In Lake Michigan?
This is an essential question for those who are afraid of snakes, and the complete simple answer is: yes. There are snakes in lakes of Michigan. In fact, this article can be dissolved into one summary, and that is to say that Michigan is full of snakes! The exclamation mark is needed. You should not believe articles that will tell you that there are no snakes in Michigan. Reliable sources show that there are. This is the reason you should be careful, try to avoid snakes and don’t go alone in uncharted lakes. Lakes in Michigan will be filled with snakes. You should better be safe than sorry.
One of the snakes you can see in Michigan is the Black Rat Snake. This snake belongs to the species Elaphe obsoleta obsolete. You can most likely find this snake in the Southern Lower Peninsula. This snake is also found near woodlands. These snakes are also protected by state law because they are rare. The Michigan DNR took care of these snakes and categorized them as special concern. It’s also reassuring to know that these snakes won’t harm you. They’re non-venomous. They’re harmless to humans, and these might be the biggest snake you can find in any Michigan lake.
Another snake that you can find in Michigan is the Blue Racer. This fish is under the Coluber constrictor fox species. It is 4 to 6 feet in its entire length, and you can see them all throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. You can also find this snake in Upper Peninsula, and it also inhabits in variety of areas in the woods. This snake can also be found in marshes and meadows. Right now the number of Blue Racers is decreasing, even if they’re not harmful. They might bite you, but they’re not venomous. They just attack when they feel threatened.
What Is The Largest Fish In Lake Michigan?
This is a hard question to answer becauseMichigan fisherslike to boast. They will always brag about the fish they caught. They will brag that what they have is the biggest one out there. That’s understandable. In the official records, though, the most significant fish caught in Michigan is still the Lake Sturgeon, which is around 193 pounds. That’s too big for one family to eat. It’s something you can brag about to your friends over beer. It could even be called a monster. You probably won’t be able to get this fish by yourself. People say that fish could be sent from God to remind us who’s the boss. In Michigan, people could even say that the fish is there to scare the people around. Whatever you believe, this fish is the largest to be caught, and the challenge is still up for others to beat.
There are other significant fish that have been caught. Some of them include the 58-pound Great Lakes Muskellunge and 49.75-pound Northern Muskellunge. There was also a record of a 6.51.19-pound Tiger Musky caught in Michigan. How’s that for fishing in Michigan lakes?
What Kind of Animals Live In Michigan?
Boy, is this a big question. There’s a lot of answers to this. Where do we even start? Well, we could start by listing here the Pacific Salmon species that people use as trophy fish. There’s also a lot of Cochon salmon in Michigan. This is a Pacific species that was imported and stocked in Michigan way back in 1966. There’s also a lot of rainbow trout, small-mouth bass, brown trout and walleye in Michigan Lakes.
A rainbow trout is also called a steelhead. It’s a lake-strain fish, which is a non-native trout. A small-mouth bass is native species in the cool water, and it’s intolerant of pollution. This means that if a lake has small-mouth bass, then it’s a clean lake. A brown trout is just a European species of fish that got introduced in the late 1880s. Stocking and lamprey control are the factors that brought these fish into a resurgence.
A walleye is also another good fish that you can find in a Michigan lake. These fish are carnivorous feeders who prey at night, and they eat fish, such as yellow perch and insects, snails, crayfish, and mudpuppies. You can also find a few burbot in a Michigan lake. Deepwater sculpin, slimy sculpin, rainbow smelt, bloater and Alewife are also the other fish that you can find while exploring any lake in the area.
There are also a lot of amphipods, larval insects, worms, native raptorial water fleas, calanoid copepods, zooplankton, mollusks, and quagga mussels on the lakes of Michigan. It’s rich diversity in the lakes of Michigan. There are lots of animals to explore. Those who want to study the rich biodiversity in the world could start in Michigan.
Are There Catfish In Lake Michigan?
There are some sites about Michigan that indicate the existence of Catfish in Lake Michigan. There was, in fact, one guy who was reported to have pulled out an 8lb 5oz Channel Catfish straight from the Montrose lake. There is also a report indicating that people have seen a strongly forked tail in Michigan lakes. Channel Catfish is one common type of fish found in the area, including the lakes inland and medium rivers. There are even stories of flat heads in Michigan. However, there’s government regulation that people are not allowed to catch catfish, though. This is enough reason for people to avoid catching the fish without permission from authorities.
Are There Otters In Lake Michigan?
There are online reports saying that there have been sightings of Otters in Lake Michigan. However, it’s not an animal commonly seen in Michigan lakes.
Are There Turtles In Lake Michigan?
There are known turtles living inLake Michigan. Some of the turtles include Blanding’s turtle, Common Musk turtle, and Snapping Turtle. A Blanding turtle is a species that receive special consideration in Michigan. There are also red-eared sliders, spiny soft-shell turtles, and eastern box turtles in Michigan. Wood turtles can also be found.
What Fish Can You Catch In Lake Michigan?
There is a lot of fish varieties you can catch in Lake Michigan. Some of them include Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon and Lake Trout. You can also find Crappies and Bullheads in most Michigan lakes. These fish are lovely to catch, but you should always be careful. The authorities charge penalties for catching fish that are not allowed. You should still support the local authorities. They do their best to help save the environment. Their policies are there for people to stop abusing the lakes.
Were you watching the Fox 2 News Morning show the other day when they were discussing products made in Michigan? We sure were, and we thought ourGreat Lakes Girl Fleece Crew Sweatshirtlooked great through the segment (though we’re probably a little biased… Maybe).
Check it out:
If you’re looking for more Michigan gear, check out our collection byclicking here. Want to find more services and retail based out of Michigan, visitwww.buymichigannow.com.
The Great Lakes are called so with good reason. Lake Superior, Michigan, Erie, Ontario, and Erie make up the largest body of freshwater in the world. It’s one thing to say that it’s the largest, but it’s another tostate the numbers. Here are the measurements of this titanic, majestic, and especially attractive lake.
How Many Gallons of Water are there in Lake Michigan
Before we give you an answer, let’s put things into perspective. A gallon is around 16 glasses of water, twice the recommended amount you should drink in a day. A pool normally has around 3,000 to 10,000 gallons of water. That’s a whole lot of water to play and swim with. Olympic sized swimming pools have 660,430 gallons of water in them, enough to fill a, well, Olympic sized swimming pool. That amount is already bigger than usual fishing ponds. Some lakes have millions of gallons of water in them, but what about the Great Lakes?
Hundred million is not enough to measure it. Five billion gallons of water is still not enough. Is it starting to sound ridiculous? How about One trillion? One hundred trillion? Nope.
Lake Michigan, according to satellite measurements and formulas, holds One Quadrillion gallons of water. That’s 1,000,000,000,000,000 gallons of life-giving, weather altering, fish-loving water. It’s so vast that in order to raise the lake’s water level just by one inch, it would take around 400 Billion gallons of water. It really puts storms into perspective when a hurricane can raise the water level by a feet or two. Makes you realize how much rain these storms pour.
On the opposite side, Lake Michigan somehow mysteriously shrunk. The water levels dropped more than two feet. That’s half a trillion gallons of water vanishing in a short span of time. Some blamed the sun shining too much, others blamed the rains for not pouring enough. Geologists put themselves together and theorized that small underwater channels deep in the lake bottom opened, draining a huge amount of water.
Here’s a fun fact: For every inch the lake loses, all cargo ships must lighten their load by 100 tons, otherwise they would touch the lake ground. Think how much they needed to lose when it dropped 2 feet.
Is Lake Michigan Frozen?
Frozen lakes are asking for people to go on ice-skating, ice fishing, ice camping, and pretty much any other usual recreation done on land, except this time on ice. Some lakes have icy surfaces up to a foot deep, making it near impossible to collapse under the weight of ice-loving recreationists.
In the case of Lake Michigan, people ask if the lake freezes during winter time. The lake has such a large span and depth, not to mention, amount of water that it may not be enough for ice to take over.
Thankfully,Lake Michigan freezes. Not completely though, but enough to freeze the shores around it, where it counts. On average, 50% of the lake freezes during the coldest parts of winter, and in the 1900s, factors aligned just right that nearly 95% of the lake was frozen over.
Even though it’s not frozen, the unfrozen waters around Lake Michigan are a bitter 5-10 degrees Celsius or 25-40 degrees Fahrenheit. These means without immediate help, hypothermia can set in a matter of seconds.
Is Lake Michigan Saltwater?
Though people may quickly answer that calling it a lake, automatically makes it freshwater. There are some exceptions though, as the Great Salt Lake is among these land-locked saltwater bodies of water.
Others may argue that since the great lakes connect to rivers that spill into the sea, it could be said that some of the seas go into the lake, turning it salty, or at least semi-salty. There are parts around the rivers surrounding the great lakes and estuaries, where fresh and saltwater mix.
Lake Michigan is not saltwater. Though the salt levels are a tad bit higher than other lakes, it’s not enough to be classified as saltwater. You can taste the water and it may taste a bit salty, but that could be unique to the area, as some parts of the lake have rock salt around them.
This very fact makes it near impossible for saltwater denizens like sharks and whales to inhabit Lake Michigan. There is still a possibility, but if ever a whale gets lost in this lake, the poor creature wouldn’t last very long. For sharks, there are rumors that Bull Sharks can survive and inhabit freshwater, but so far, there has been zero shark sightings and attacks, and even if you’re a bull shark or a small, young whale who happened to find a river that connects to one of the great lakes, it would be very difficult for you to find your way to lake Michigan.
How Deep is the Deepest Part of Lake Michigan?
If not for the land surrounding the lake, it’s sheer size and amount of water can already be considered a freshwater see. Lake Michigan is so close to downtown Chicago that it becomes a popular diving spot. With that said, how deep is Lake Michigan?
The deepest part of Lake Michigan is 922 feet deep, or 153 fathoms. If you can’t put that into perspective, there are several, large container ships that have sunk in the lake. This deepest point is around the center of the lake.
In comparison, the average depth of Lake Michigan is around 279 feet deep, or 46 fathoms. Thankfully though, the depth of the lake is rather gradual. You’ll find yourself walking a good few meters out from the shore before it’s more than 10 feet deep.
Around the center of Michigan is the spot where people go freshwater diving. The calm and relatively cool waters are perfect for beginner deep-sea divers and those who want to hone their hobbies.
Anglers also challenge themselves by going deep cold water fishing in these parts. There are a few fish that mainly inhabit the deeper parts such as the deepwater sculpin, but it’s also home to many common fish such as the King or Chinook Salmon, the Coho Salmon, the occasional Atlantic Salmon, and the elusive Cisco species.
Unlike the ocean, where deep-sea animals take on fascinating, colorful and scary shape, the bottom of the lake is mostly flat bedrock with all manner of brown moss and all the wastes of living things from up above. The only thing scary in this lake is that the pressure at the bottom is 3.7 Megapascals. That’s equal to 536 pounds per square inch. So at any moment, you’re being crushed with about the weight of a large gorilla, or a piano.
What is the Size of Lake Michigan, Why isn’t it Called a Sea?
If it was saltwater, it could be called the sea. Yet, it’s called a lake, a great lake. The lake’s salinity is slightly higher than typical lakes, but not enough to be called a sea. The water is classified as “brackish”. One exception is the Caspian Sea. Like the sea, it’s vast, but the salinity of the water is half that of the ocean. The Caspian sea is also the largest lake in the whole world, but the argument is still up whether it should be called a lake or a sea.
How does Lake Michigan stand up to the largest lake/sea in the world? The Caspian sea has the surface area of 371,000 square kilometers. That’s 1030 kilometers long and 435 kilometers wide. It also has the depth of 3360 ft.
Lake Michigan is rather small by comparison, only having a 58,030 square kilometer area. That’s 494 kilometers long and 190 kilometers wide, with its deepest at 922 feet. Yet, in perspective, it’s enough to have more than 300 boats on it without anyone complaining about space, and have a vast population of fish, enough to keep the hundreds of anglers happy every week, and still have enough to breed for the next generation.
That’s some of the measurements and numbers ofthis majestic lake. There are more numbers to be considered if you ask how much fishes are there at any given time, how much money the surrounding cities make with their business, you can even ask how many people have mysteriously vanished around the lake. One thing remains the same. Lake Michigan and the four other great lakes have given life and livelihood to everyone around it. We need to do our part to make sure the lakes are healthy, and of course, enjoy ourselves in the process. It’s one of mother nature’s gifts and we should care for it for centuries to come.
