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LOWER GREAT LAKES
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Map of Lower Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Link Lake Ontario Link Erie Canal Link Niagara River Link Lake Erie Link

Lake Erie - Niagar River - Lake Ontario -
St. Lawrence River - Erie Canal

Physical Features And Population of the Region

Erie
Ontario
Elevationa (feet)**
569
243
(metres)
173
74
Length (miles)*
241
193
(kilometres)
388
311
Breadth (miles)*
57
53
  (kilometres)
92
85
Average Deptha  (feet)**
62
283
(metres)
19
86
Maximum Deptha (feet)*
210
802
(metres)
64
244
Volumea (cu. miles)*
116
393
(km3)
484
1,640
Water
Area
(sq. mi.)*
9,910
7,340
(km2)
25,700
18,960
Land
Drainage Areab
(sq. mi.)*
30,140
24,720
(km2)
78,000
64,030
Total Area (sq. mi.)*
40,050
32,060
(km2)
103,700
82,990
Shoreline Lengthc (miles)*
871
712
(kilometres)
1,402
1,146
Retention Time (years)**
2.6
6
Population: U.S. (1990)†
10,017,530
2,704,284
Canada (1991)
1,664,639
5,446,611
Totals
11,682,169
8,150,895
Outlet
Niagara River/ Welland Canal
St. Lawrence River

Notes:

a Measured at Low Water Datum.
b Land Drainage Area for Lake Huron includes St. Marys River.
Lake Erie includes the St. Clair-Detroit system.
Lake Ontario includes the Niagara River. c Including islands. d These totals are greater than the sum of the shoreline length for the lakes because they include the connecting channels (excluding the St. Lawrence River).

Sources:
* Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Basic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Data, Coordinated Great Lakes Physical Data. May, 1992
** Extension Bulletins E-1866-70, Michigan Sea Grant College Program, Cooperative Extension Service, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Michigan, 1985
1990-1991 population census data were collected on different watershed boundaries and are not directly comparable to previous years.

Source:  Great Lakes Atlas

Last Updated: December 15, 2008