Lake Michigan is the second largest Great Lake. It covers an area of 22,300 square miles and has a shoreline that stretches 2,726 miles. The lake’s maximum depth is 1,295 feet, just over a mile. The lake’s average depth is 279 feet, and the deepest part of the lake reaches 923 feet (the equivalent of a 27-story building).
Lake Michigan is one of the Great five Lakes of North America. It is the third largest lake worldwide by surface area and the fifth largest by volume. It is bordered by four states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The word “Michigan” is believed to come from the Ojibwa Indian word mishigami, meaning “great water.”
History of Lake Michigan
Two tectonic plates were ripped apart two billion years ago, forming the Great Lakes over time. Lake Michigan is one of these Great Lakes. French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first recorded European to discover Lake Michigan. He sent his underling Jean Nicolet to find the “Northwest Passage.” However, Nicolet ended up discovering Lake Michigan around 1634. Then, in 1679, Nicolette explored the southernmost part of the lake where modern-day Chicago is.
What river feeds Lake Michigan?
The Wisconsin River is the primary source of water for Lake Michigan. The river begins in the forests of northern Wisconsin and flows south for over 400 miles before emptying into the lake. Along the way, the Wisconsin River picks up runoff from various sources, including agricultural land, urban areas, and forests.
The Wisconsin River flows into the lake at a place called portage, which is located in the southwest corner of Wisconsin. The portage between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior was vital to the early fur trade between the French and the Native Americans.
The Wisconsin River is a popular place to fish, canoe, or kayak. The river has many rapids that are great for whitewater rafting. The river also has many dams producing hydroelectric power, a clean and renewable energy source.
What are the different depths of Lake Michigan?
The lake’s average depth is 163 ft (49 m), while its deepest point—the Chippewa Basin in its north end—is only 165 m (541 ft) deep. In contrast, its southern counterpart, South Chippewa Basin, only reaches a maximum depth of about 165 meters (541 feet), with a much more gradual increase in depth further south. The high point between these two basins— running roughly between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Muskegon, Michigan —is uncreative “the Mid-Lake Plateau.” The shallowest point in this central area is approximately 40 meters (131 feet) deep. At the lowest water level in the lake’s history, this entire main area would have been an island.
The depth of Lake Michigan compares to other Great Lakes.
- Lake Superior is deeper than Lake Michigan, which comes in second.
- It is only the third deepest average depth of the Great Lakes, just behind Lake Superior and Lake Ontario.
- It is shallower than Lake Ontario on average because Lake Michigan consists of two large basins, with most of the lake comprised of the shallower basin.
- Lake Michigan stacks up well against other famous freshwater lakes in terms of depth.
- Loch Ness is deeper than Lake Michigan, but the average depth is over 50% deeper.
- Lake Champlain is a much shallower lake, with an average depth of 64 feet.
- Lake Michigan is deeper than the other Great Lakes, making it possible for a lake monster to live there.
- The other Great Lakes formed at different times and have different depths, making them not as comparable as Lake Michigan.
What are some of the dangers of swimming in Lake Michigan?
One of the dangers of swimming in Lake Michigan is the depth of the water. The average depth of the lake’s water is 279 feet (85 meters). This can be dangerous for swimmers not used to swimming in deep water.
Another danger of swimming in Lake Michigan is the circulatory pattern of the water. The lake has an unusual circulatory way — resembles the traffic flow in a suburban cul-de-sac — and moves very slowly. This can be dangerous for swimmers who are not used to swimming in slow-moving water.
Winds and resulting waves can also be dangerous when swimming in Lake Michigan. Winds keep Lake Michigan from freezing, and ocean-like swells, especially during the winter, can result in a drastic temperature change along the coast, shoreline erosion, and difficult navigation. This can be dangerous for swimmers who are not used to swimming in rough waters.
Benefits of swimming in Lake Michigan
Soft sand beaches: Lakeside beaches in northern Michigan are made of very soft sands that create squeaking noises due to their high quartz content.
A great city on the shores: With its walkable shoreline and many attractions such as parks and marinas, Chicago is a great place to visit for swimmers.
Erosion protection: Chicago’s shoreline is protected from erosion with the help of revetments made out of stone or concrete
Clear and calm water: The waters of Lake Michigan are clean, with a temperature range that includes cold lake water for swimming during the winter.
The flow of warmer water during the summer: Because of westerly winds, warm surface water moves towards the east side of the lake in the summertime.
Many amenities for swimming: There are beaches, parks, and other facilities nearby where you can swim if you’d like to explore them further while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of swimming in freshwater.
What are some of the other activities that can be done in Lake Michigan?
You can enjoy many activities in Lake Michigan. These include kayaking, yachting, kitesurfing, diving, lake surfing, and passenger steamers. These activities offer something different and are great ways to enjoy the lake.
Kayaking:
Kayaking is a great way to enjoy the lake. It gives you an up-close view of the shoreline, wildlife, and other kayaks. The best part about kayaking is that it is very easy to learn and is a great workout.
Kayaking can be done in groups or alone, depending on the kayaker’s preference. Kayaks are also available for rent at many marinas.
Yachting:
Lake Michigan is a great place for sailing and yachting. The lake has many excellent harbors, including Chicago’s Navy Pier Yacht Club. Lake Michigan offers ideal sailing conditions in the summer and fall. The Chicago Yacht Club, located in downtown Chicago, is great to learn more about sailing and yachting on the lake.
Fishing:
Lake Michigan is a great place to fish. The lake has many fish species, including salmon, trout, and catfish. There are also many different fishing tournaments held on the lake each year. The best places to fish are Harbor Country, Michigan, and the Grand Traverse Bay.
Lake Surfing:
Lake surfing is a popular activity in the summer. The waves are created by wind and currents coming from Lake Michigan’s shoreline, which can be as close as ten miles away.
What is the best time to visit Lake Michigan?
The summer months of July and August are ideal for visiting Lake Michigan because the water is at its warmest during these months. Lake Michigan’s water flow is peculiar as it goes pretty slowly. Winds and the ensuing waves prevent Lake Michigan from freezing, but it has occasionally reached 90% frozen. The coast may see a sharp fluctuation in temperature during ocean-like swells, coastline erosion, and challenging navigation, especially during the winter.