Lake Erie

Lake Erie is the smallest of the Great Lakes in volume (119 cubic miles) and is exposed to the greatest effects from urbanization and agriculture. Measuring 241 miles across and 57 miles from north to south, the lake's surface is just under 10,000 square miles, with 871 miles of shoreline. The average depth of Lake Erie is only about 62 feet (210 feet, maximum). It therefore warms rapidly in the spring and summer, and frequently freezes over in winter. The drainage basin covers parts of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. Because of its fertile soils, the basin is intensively farmed and is the most densely populated of the five lake basins.

Lake Erie is considered by many to be Ohio’s greatest natural resource. However, Lake Erie is troubled because its ecosystem is in constant turmoil. In addition to dramatic water quality changes in the past century, the composition of plant and animal species in the lake has fluctuated wildly. There are a number of activities currently being performed on Lake Erie and surrounding watersheds to improve the overall health of the Lake. For more information on these programs and for more information, please refer to the number of links listed below.

Useful Links

Balanced Growth
EPA LAMP
Info on Lake Erie
ODNR Coastal Program
Coastal Ohio
International Joint Commission
Council of Great Lakes Governors
Great Lakes Commission
Great Lakes Information Network
Ohio Lake Erie Commission
Ohio SeaGrant