Lake Huron General Facts
Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes and the third largest freshwater lake on earth. It’s 23,007 sq miles surface area resides between Ontario, Canada and Michigan, United States. Lake Huron’s water volume reaches 850 cubic meters and it has a 22-year residence time. Like the rest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron was formed by continental glaciers melting, but unlike the rest of them, Lake Huron is characterized by its shallow, sandy beaches.
Another significant distinction Lake Huron possesses is its connection to the Georgian Bay, which explorers first thought it was a 6th Great Lake (its size and Manitoulin Island makes it seem like a separate body of water). Lake Huron is the 4th lake in the sequence of water flow: water travels from Lake Superior to Lake Michigan, through Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and finally to Lake Ontario. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are often described as “two lobes of the same lake” since hydrologically speaking, they’re the same body of water. Lake Huron’s primary inflows are the Strait of Mackinac and St. Mary’s River. Its primary outflow is mainly St. Clair River. Lake Huron is home to the largest freshwater island in the world; Manitoulin Island. This island, together with a few more thousand, separates the North Channel and Georgian Bay from Lake Huron’s main body of water. Besides the Georgian Bay, other relevant bays in this region include Thunder Bay and Saginaw Bay. Lake Huron's HistoryFrench Explorers discovered “La Mer Douce” (translates to freshwater sea), how they first called Lake Huron. Other maps refer to Lake Huron as “Karegnondi,” a Wyandot word for freshwater sea or “Lake of the Hurons.”
In 1913, a big storm hit Lake Huron and its surroundings; it was called “The Big Blow.” The storm lasted for 16 hours and propelled 90 miles-per-hour winds which created 35 ft-tall waves killing 235 seamen and sinking 10 ships. The area experienced major damages by the storm, making The Big Blow one of the most memorable events in the history of Lake Huron. Lake Huron was also affected by the Lake Huron Cyclone back in 1996. This cyclone reached high wind speeds and an 18-mile wide cyclone eye which resembled a tropical hurricane. Lake Huron's EcosystemsSome of Lake Huron’s native species include lake trout (extirpated by sea lampreys and overfishing), deepwater ciscoes (bloater is the only kind that remains in the lake), and sculpins. Some invasive species include sea lampreys, alewife, rainbow smelt, zebra mussels, quagga mussels. The authorities introduced the Pacific Salmon and more Lake Trout in an attempt to get rid of invasive species and balance the lake’s ecosystem.
Lake Huron EconomyFishing, lumbering, commercial traffic, and tourism are the strongest economic activities that take place in the Lake Huron region. The heavy commercial ship traffic mostly consists of iron ore, grain, and limestone transportation through the St. Lawrence Seaway. There’s also plenty of local trading in the lake’s harbors.
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Lake Huron
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Elevation |
578 ft |
Surface Area |
23,000 mi² |
Drainage Area |
51,700 mi² |
Volume of Water |
850 mi³ |
Avg Depth |
195 ft |
Max Depth |
750 ft |
Length (N-S) |
183 mi |
Length (E-W) |
206 mi |
Length of Shoreline |
3,827 mi |
Avg Surface Temp |
46º F |
Retention Time |
22 years |
Avg Outflow |
186,000 ft³/s |
Read more on the "Physical Features of the Great Lakes" from the EPA .
Lake Huron
By the Numbers
Elevation |
176 m |
Surface Area |
59,600 km² |
Drainage Area |
134,100 km² |
Volume of Water |
3,540 km³ |
Avg Depth |
59 m |
Max Depth |
229 m |
Length (N-S) |
295 km |
Length (E-W) |
332 km |
Length of Shoreline |
6,157 km |
Avg Surface Temp |
8º C |
Retention Time |
22 years |
Avg Outflow |
5,267 m³/s |
Read more on the "Physical Features of the Great Lakes" from the EPA .
Lake Huron's Ports of Call
- Little Current
- Manitoulin Island
- Mackinac Island
- Parry Sound
- Midland
Cruise Lines with Lake Huron Itineraries
Victory Cruise Lines
Pearl Seas
Blount Small Ship Adventures
Ponant Explorers
Viking Expeditions
- Great Lakes Grand Discovery Itinerary
- Splendor of the Great Lakes Itinerary
- Great Lakes Masterpiece Itinerary
Pearl Seas
Blount Small Ship Adventures
Ponant Explorers
Viking Expeditions
Lake huron Attractions
Places You Can’t Miss
St. Ignace, MI
The third oldest city in the U.S.! Check out Bridge View Park and Straits State Park, two amazing view points to watch the world-famous Mackinac Bridge.
Nature and Wildlife
Cheboygan State Park, MI
Enjoy the best views of Lake Huron and visit some of the iconic lighthouses that make this place so special.
Museums and History
USS Edson at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, MI
Learn the history of this site by visiting this unique ship. Most of it is open to the public to explore and learn about the Vietnam era.
Islands, Rivers, and Beaches
Mackinac Island, MI
Stop at Mackinac Island and feel like stepping back in time. Transportation on the island consists of horse, bicycle, or foot and this makes the perfect getaway destination for disconnecting from the fast pace of life.
St. Ignace, MI
The third oldest city in the U.S.! Check out Bridge View Park and Straits State Park, two amazing view points to watch the world-famous Mackinac Bridge.
Nature and Wildlife
Cheboygan State Park, MI
Enjoy the best views of Lake Huron and visit some of the iconic lighthouses that make this place so special.
Museums and History
USS Edson at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, MI
Learn the history of this site by visiting this unique ship. Most of it is open to the public to explore and learn about the Vietnam era.
Islands, Rivers, and Beaches
Mackinac Island, MI
Stop at Mackinac Island and feel like stepping back in time. Transportation on the island consists of horse, bicycle, or foot and this makes the perfect getaway destination for disconnecting from the fast pace of life.
