Lake Erie General Facts
Lake Erie is the fourth largest freshwater lake from the Great Lakes, it’s surface area reaches 9,910 sq miles. Lake Erie is also the shallowest and warmest of the five lakes, reaching 64 meters at its deepest point and averaging a temperature of 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (11.3 degrees Celsius). Its depth and temperature cause Lake Erie to hold the shortest water residence time among the five Great Lakes, averaging only 2.6 years of water residency. Lake Erie is located in the international boundary of the United States and Canada. It borders the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario.
As part of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie helps move water across 3,200 kilometers throughout the course of its flow. This water flow generates an important amount of hydroelectric power to both the United States and Canada. Water flows from Lake Superior through the St. Mary’s River, all the way to Lake Huron. Then, this water flows through the Strait of Mackinac and makes its way to Lake Michigan. Most of the water then comes back to Lake Huron to travel through the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, and finally get to Lake Erie. Lake Erie then directs the water current through the Niagara River, and it makes a drastic drop creating the iconic Horseshoe Falls to finally reach Lake Ontario. This is its last stop in the magnificent freshwater lakes. Water then exits to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River. Lake Erie is home to several bays and archipelagic islands that give life to the American Inland Seas. The Maumee Bay, located in Ohio, features one of the most popular bird-watching spots in the country. Another well-known bay in Lake Erie is the Sandusky Bay, also located in Ohio. The Thomas A. Edison Memorial Bridge connects Erie and Ottawa counties over this important body of water. There are around 30 islands that reside within Lake Erie’s surface. South Bass Island, also known as Put-in-Bay, is the most touristic and developed of them all. The North Bass Island (also called Isle St. George) and Middle Bass Island attract some tourism as well. They offer tourists a couple of state parks and recreational sites. Lake Erie’s History
Lake Erie is well-known for its breathtaking lighting displays, but this lake and its beautiful sceneries weren’t formed from one day to the next. Lake Erie’s history goes back to the end of the ice age. What used to be ice-sheet-covered territory turned into basins that later filled in with water as the ice melted. The ice sheet that covered what’s now Lake Erie was thin in comparison to the rest of sheets that covered the other Great Lakes. This thin ice sheet lacked erosion power which resulted in a shallow basin.
In its early days, Lake Erie was called Lake Warren (about 13,000 years ago). Lake Warren was larger in depth and shoreline distance. The shoreline of this former lake left behind dry lake soil that couldn’t support much nature with the exception of a few trees. This land was later used by Indians as trails and eventually became home to important highways such as the U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 30. Some of the remaining soil created a few sand dunes in Northwestern Ohio that are still visible nowadays. Lake Erie was named after the Native American tribe Erie, which is short for Erielhonan (means long tail). The Erie tribe lived along the southern shore of the lake, while the Attawandaron tribe lived along the northern shore. In 1651, both tribes were conquered by the Iroquois Confederacy which then used the land as hunting ground. Lake Erie was the last Great Lake explored by the Europeans since the Iroquois who inhabited that area didn’t allow explorers to pass through. In 1809 British authorities developed the Talbot Trail and recruited non-american settlers to live in the area. That didn’t last long, in 1813 Americans led by the naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry captured and defeated the British fleet during the Battle of Lake Erie. This ensured American control over the lake. Lake Erie’s Ecosystems
Lake Erie and the rest of the Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s total freshwater, and over 3,500 species. For instance, Lake Erie is home to over 250 bird species that migrate annually to the area. They reside mostly around Sandusky Bay and Maumee Bay, making these spots optimal for bird-watching all year long. Lake Erie is also home to hundreds of fish species such as Walleye and Yellow Perch, plus several invasive species.
Climate change (reduces water levels of the lake), pollutants, population, and the introduction of invasive species are negatively affecting Lake Erie’s natural environment. As part of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is crucial for natural water filtration, flood control, and nutrient cycling. The U.S.A. and Canada are aware of the value this natural resource possesses, and the danger in which Lake Erie could potentially fall into. Therefore, they created the Great Lakes Compact. This act protects the Great Lakes international waters (overseen by the Great Lakes Commission), to prevent water diversion and set standards of use. This ultimately helps the Great Lakes’ ecosystems conservation. |
Lake Erie
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Elevation |
569 ft |
Surface Area |
9,910 mi² |
Drainage Area |
30,140 mi² |
Volume of Water |
116 mi³ |
Avg Depth |
62 ft |
Max Depth |
210 ft |
Length (N-S) |
57 mi |
Length (E-W) |
241 mi |
Length of Shoreline |
871 mi |
Avg Surface Temp |
52º F |
Retention Time |
2.6 years |
Avg Outflow |
265,000 ft³/s |
Read more on the "Physical Features of the Great Lakes" from the EPA .
Lake Erie
By the Numbers
Elevation |
173 m |
Surface Area |
25,700 km² |
Drainage Area |
78,000 km² |
Volume of Water |
484 km³ |
Avg Depth |
19 m |
Max Depth |
64 m |
Length (N-S) |
92 km |
Length (E-W) |
388 km |
Length of Shoreline |
1,402 km |
Avg Surface Temp |
11º C |
Retention Time |
2.6 years |
Avg Outflow |
7,504 m³/s |
Read more on the "Physical Features of the Great Lakes" from the EPA .
The iconic Pelee Island has some vineyards that are still active, and the Kelleys Island (formerly known as the Sandusky Island) are two of the most popular as well. Other Lake Erie islands include:
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Lake Erie’s Economy
Around 1850, fishing became one of Lake Erie’s main economic activities. It rose as settlers established fisheries, which increased maritime traffic. Commercial fishing boomed in 1901, and a new harbor was built to accommodate more shipments. Later in the 20th century, both commercial and sport fishing started to decline.
The 5 states that border Lake Erie had built industries and communities around the lake, and water pollution became a major issue. The pollutants and sewer waste that was thrown into the river streams in the area ended up in the lake. Additionally, Lake Erie helped provide drinking water to nearly 40 million people a day, plus 212 billion liters a day for industries and farms. This also exploited the lake’s resources causing a negative impact on the environment. Preserving the lake’s native fish species became a challenge. However, fishing is still the top economic activity of the region. Tourism and agriculture are also crucial to the area.
Secondary economic activities in the area include grape growing and wineries. These reside along the coast of New York and Pennsylvania. There used to be a vast amount of wineries within Lake Erie’s Archipelagic Islands as well. Most of those wineries closed with the exception of the ones in Pelee Island. Today, Lake Erie islands’ economy is sustained mostly by tourism. Unlike the other Great Lakes, Lake Erie doesn’t have many wind turbines due to opposition from the residents. They believe the wind turbines would be intrusive to the ecosystem and ultimately spoil the views.
The 5 states that border Lake Erie had built industries and communities around the lake, and water pollution became a major issue. The pollutants and sewer waste that was thrown into the river streams in the area ended up in the lake. Additionally, Lake Erie helped provide drinking water to nearly 40 million people a day, plus 212 billion liters a day for industries and farms. This also exploited the lake’s resources causing a negative impact on the environment. Preserving the lake’s native fish species became a challenge. However, fishing is still the top economic activity of the region. Tourism and agriculture are also crucial to the area.
Secondary economic activities in the area include grape growing and wineries. These reside along the coast of New York and Pennsylvania. There used to be a vast amount of wineries within Lake Erie’s Archipelagic Islands as well. Most of those wineries closed with the exception of the ones in Pelee Island. Today, Lake Erie islands’ economy is sustained mostly by tourism. Unlike the other Great Lakes, Lake Erie doesn’t have many wind turbines due to opposition from the residents. They believe the wind turbines would be intrusive to the ecosystem and ultimately spoil the views.
Ports of Call in Lake Erie
Lake Erie ports include Monroe, Kelleys Island, Sandusky, Toledo, Huron, Lorain, Ashtabula, Conneaut, Erie, Fairport Harbor, and Cleveland. Out of the list, Cleveland, Ohio is one of the most popular and a tourist-favorite port. It is home to important museums and exhibits, and features one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country. The Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, Great Lakes Science Center, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are must-see places in the area. The Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Museum of Natural History are great for nature-focused exhibits. Another popular attraction is the Whiskey Island, located in the peninsula of Cuyahoga River. The city of Cleveland offers a wholesome travel experience including plenty of indoor and outdoor entertainment, plus a wide variety of gastronomic experiences. This makes it a prime port of call for Lake Erie Cruises.
Lake Erie Ports of Call
Lake Erie is home to a couple majestic ports of call for Great Lakes Cruises. The journey begins with the port of Cleveland, which features a handful of activities and entertainment for all kinds of travelers. Cruises often travel to the world-known Niagara Falls, which is the next port of call. This iconic port features breathtaking views of the Horseshoe Falls right before entering Lake Ontario. The port of Cleveland and the Niagara Falls are must-see stops when cruising the Great Lakes. Here’s a list of attractions, itineraries, and cruise lines that will help you explore and make the best out of your Lake Erie experience.
Port of Cleveland
From arts & culture, history, and outdoor activities, Cleveland is packed with a variety of sights to discover. One of the most popular spots in the city is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This iconic site is filled with hundreds of music exhibits that cover early rock & roll influencers, performers, song writers, and producers. Make sure to plan a few hours to cover all 3 floors of memorabilia and interactive exhibits. Other attractions include The Cleveland Museum of Art, which features over 61,000 art pieces from all over the world. This world-class museum is known for its Asian and Egyptian art, plus several other permanent displays that bring thousands of visitors annually. This museum is one of the most visited in the world. Another must-see museum in the area is the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This museum features collections in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, botany, geology, astronomy, zoology, biology, and even paleontology. For nature-inspired travelers, The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Botanical Garden are a must. The 183-acre zoo displays wildlife from multiple regions such as Australia, Africa, and Asia. Meanwhile, the botanical garden has magic on its own. It is home to hundreds of plant species and it’s a local favorite too. When traveling to Cleveland, tourists love to stop by the historic West Side Market to grab a bite. This market features fresh food from the region and the most tasty snacks.
Lake Erie Museums & History
Shopping & Restaurants in Lake Erie
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Port of Niagara Falls
This iconic city is a Great Lakes treasure. Located right in the state of New York, this city witnesses Lake Erie’s drastic drop into Lake Ontario, forming 3 world-known waterfalls: The Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil. This port of call is a nature-immersive experience for travelers. Some of the city’s top sights include the Skylon Tower to overlook the Niagara Falls, and the Journey Behind the Falls, which features closer views of the falls from subterranean caverns. Other views of the majestic Niagara Falls include the American Falls, the Cave of the Winds, and the Niagara Falls State Park. For a more adventurous view, the Whirlpool Aero Car takes tourists in cable car rides across the Niagara River. There’s also plenty of parks around the area; the Queen Victoria Park is one of the most popular in the city. Other attractions in the area include the Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom, and MarineLand. These all offer nature exhibits for tourists to discover and learn from.
Lake Erie Nature and Wildlife
Islands, Rivers, and Beaches in Lake Erie
Cruise Lines with Lake Erie Itineraries
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