| normous size of the Great Lakes water system | | | | lake's name originates from Ontario, a Huron word |
| is very awe-inspiring. The Great Lakes consist of | | | | that means "great lake." Because Lake Ontario is |
| five lakes that include: Lake Superior, Michigan, | | | | at the bottom-end of the Great Lakes, it is |
| Huron, Erie and Ontario. Their channels allow the | | | | affected by the human activities throughout the |
| lakes to be connected to make it the largest | | | | Lake Michigan, Superior, Huron, and Erie basins. |
| fresh water system in the world. | | | | Lake Michigan: Lake Michigan is the second largest |
| The Great Lakes hold approximately 23,000 km3 | | | | Great Lake. It contains the Milwaukee and Chicago |
| (5,500 cu. mi.) of water. They cover more than | | | | areas. This area has approximately 8 million |
| 94, 000 square miles (244,000 sq. km.) and hold | | | | people. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake |
| approximately one-fifth of the earth’s | | | | entirely within the borders of the United States. |
| fresh water. This is approximately 18 percent of | | | | Lake Huron: Many Canadians and Americans own |
| the world’s water supply. | | | | cottages along Lake Huron’s shores. It |
| The channels that connect the Great Lakes | | | | contains the Flint and Saginaw-Bay City areas. The |
| include: | | | | Saginaw River basin is farmed and Saginaw Bay |
| The St. Mary’s River: A 60-mile waterway | | | | has an industrious fishery. |
| that flows from Lake Superior down to Lake | | | | Lake Superior: This is the largest, deepest, and |
| Huron. | | | | coldest lake of the Great Lakes. Much of the |
| The St. Clair and Detroit River An 89 mile long | | | | areas in the basin are forested. Water contains |
| channel connecting Lake Huron with Lake Erie. | | | | minimal pollutants because there is little agriculture. |
| Niagara River: A 35-mile long river that connects | | | | Only the polar ice caps contain more fresh water |
| Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. | | | | than The Great Lakes. These lakes are an |
| The water from the Great Lakes flows from | | | | important and delicate ecosystem. Not only do |
| Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River and then | | | | they affect human life because of industrial |
| flows about 1000 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. | | | | transportation, fishery industry, and agriculture, |
| Facts about The Great Lakes include: | | | | they affect wildlife and the climate. The lakes |
| Lake Erie: This Great Lake contains 17 urban | | | | were once exploited for financial gain but now |
| areas and agricultural practices are a prominent | | | | conservationists are acknowledging the crucial role |
| industry. The area of the lake is about 26,000 | | | | they play in maintaining environmental balance. |
| km2. (10,000 square miles) It is the shallowest of | | | | Measures that properly balance the Great Lakes |
| the five Great Lakes. | | | | and their ecosystems are now being implemented |
| Lake Ontario: This Lake is the smallest of the | | | | to ensure they are not destroyed by pollution and |
| Great Lakes. Major urban areas such as Hamilton | | | | industrialization. |
| and Toronto are located along its shores. The | | | | |