Water Resources: Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are one of the world's most significant water resources and are the most extensive freshwater system on earth, easily spotted as an outstanding feature on a map of the world. The series of five lakes include:

• Lake Superior
• Lake Michigan
• Lake Huron
• Lake Erie
• Lake Ontario

These lakes span more than 750 miles west to east and contain about 1/5 of the earth's surface freshwater. They contain unique habitats for fish and wildlife; sustain a valuable fishery; and provide water for consumption, transportation, power, recreation, and a host of other uses.

Links:
Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network & Fund
Great Lakes Restoration
For information about proposed agreements on Great Lakes water use visit www.speakongreatlakes.org

Resources/Publications:
Be a Great Lakes Steward!
Fertilizing Tips for Lakefront Properties
Fish and the Great Lakes - The Wetland Connection.
Northern Michigan's Native Plants
2006 Algae Report
2005 Algae Report
Great Lakes Water Level Fluctuations
This paper summarizes the various ways that Great Lakes water levels fluctuate, and discusses the importance of these fluctuations to shoreline ecosystems.

Order Your Great Lakes Protection Specialty Watercraft Decal

Watershed Council Initiatives:
Little Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan
Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program

Threats:
Aquatic Invasive Species

Current Weather | Today's Great Lakes Winds | Today's Great Lakes Waves | Lake Michigan Water Temperatures | Northern Lake Michigan Buoy Data

Contact Us|Search