About 18 thousand lakes are located in the United States. The most famous are the Great Lakes. This group of 5 fresh water bodies, connected by straits and rivers, is the largest on the planet. Their total area is one fifth of the territory of all freshwater lakes on Earth. They are navigable and have a depth of hundreds of meters. A network of parks and reserves has been created in the coastal areas.
In the west of the country, there are salt lakes, the water level of which depends on precipitation. They do not have a drain, their water is saltier than sea water. These are the remains of the Bonneville salt lake, formed 32 thousand years ago. The largest is the Big Salt Lake. In the eastern United States, in the Atlantic Lowland, there are karst and lagoon lakes. Okeechobee is the largest of them.
The largest lakes in the United States of America
The largest and most beautiful bodies of water in the country!
Upper
Most of the lake is located in Canada, the rest is in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Area - 82,100 km2... The largest and deepest of the Great Lakes. And also the largest freshwater lake in the world. The maximum depth is 406 meters. The water is cold, in summer the temperature does not exceed 4 ° С. There are often storms. The Whitefish Point Underwater Museum contains fragments of numerous shipwrecks. National parks and recreation areas have been created on the coast.
Huron
Lies in Michigan and Ontario. The second largest lake in the country. Area - 59,600 km2... The maximum depth is 229 meters. In the north is the largest island on the planet in a freshwater lake - Manitoulin. The coastline of the reservoir is heavily indented and has a length of more than 6 thousand km. Major ports are Bay City, Alpina, Saginaw. To the north is the Thunder Bay National Underwater Reserve with numerous wrecks.
Michigan
The only one of the "great five" lakes, located exclusively in the United States. It crosses the borders of 4 states. It is connected by a strait with Lake Huron. The maximum depth is 280 meters. Area - 57760 km2... The major cities on the coast are Milwaukee, Chicago, Evanston, Hammond, Gary, and others. Shipping is well developed. The local nature is rich and varied, with dozens of state parks and wildlife sanctuaries located on the coast and islands.
Erie
It washes the shores of 4 American states and the province of Ontario. Area - 25667 km2... The shallowest of the five Great Lakes, has an average depth of 19 meters. The Niagara River connects Erie to Lake Ontario. Cities - Cleveland, Monroe, Toledo, Buffalo and others. Vegetables and fruits are grown along the coast, and local vineyards are especially famous. There are "dead" zones - the result of phosphorite pollution. Due to the numerous shipwrecks, the lake is popular with divers.
Ontario
The smallest lake of the "great five". Located in New York State and Canada. It closes the entire lake system and discharges its waters into the Atlantic Ocean. Area - 19011 km2, 86 meters - average depth. The main tributary is the Niagara River. Shipping is well developed, including major ports - Toronto, Hamilton, Rochester. Many protected areas and places for organized family recreation have been created along the coast.
Bolshoe Salty
Located in Utah. Area - 5483 km2... Several rivers flow into the lake, there is no runoff. The water level, area and salinity of the reservoir depend on atmospheric precipitation. The lake is called the American Dead Sea. A dam with a railway divides it into 2 parts. There are two state parks in the vicinity. Local attraction - The Spiral Dam of Black Basalt, Salt and Mud, designed by Robert Smithson in a land art style.
Lesnoe
It is located in the state of Minnesota and two provinces of Canada. Area - 4350 km2... It is the remnant of a large glacial lake Agassiz. The coastline is 105 thousand km. There are more than 14 thousand islands on the lake. White pelicans, bald eagles, trumpeter plovers nest on them. Specialization in fishing - pike, pike perch, trout, perch. Popular recreation area. Zippel Bay State Park is located on the coast.
Iliamna
Located in Alaska. The largest lake in the state. The origin is glacial-tectonic. Area - 2626 km2... The maximum depth is 300 meters. It has a discharge into the Gulf of the Bering Sea through the Kvichak River. Famous for sports fishing. There are 28 species of fish in the lake, including salmon, grayling, and trout. It is also the habitat of the freshwater seal population. The settlements on the coast are Newhalen, Iliamna, Kohanok, Pedro Bay, Aygugik.
Oahe
Formed as a result of the construction of a dam on the Missouri River. Lies in South and North Dakota. Area - 1774 km2... It is famous for excellent fishing, perch, pike, pike perch, chinook salmon are well caught. The reservoir is surrounded by about 50 public recreation areas, including marinas and boats, picnic areas, camping, hiking trails. On the coast are the cities of Pierre, Bismarck, Mobridge, as well as two Indian reservations.
Okeechobee
Located in Florida. Average depth - 3 meters, maximum - 3.7 meters. Area - 1715 km2... In the south of the United States - the largest lake. The main tributary is the Kissimmee River. The most common fish are perch, crappie, bluegill. The lake is surrounded by a 2100 km National Scenic Trail, popular with hikers and cyclists. There are several islands, the largest inhabited by people. The city of Cloiston is located on the shore.
Pontchartrain
The largest lake in the state of Louisiana. Salty. Area - 1634 km2... The average depth is 3-4 meters. Receives fresh water from several rivers, connects with the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River. It is a complex of wetlands, including cypress bogs, which were massively cut down in the last century. New Orleans is located on the shore. Across the lake, between the cities of Metairie and Mandeville, the second longest dam bridge in the world has been built.
Sakakavia
Location - North Dakota. The lake is of artificial origin, formed in 1956 during the construction of a dam on the Missouri River. Area - 1347 km2... The second largest and third largest reservoir in the United States. It is surrounded by the national park of the same name. Boating, windsurfing, hiking trails, camping, fishing are available to visitors. Salmon and northern pike are especially good.
Champlain
Lies in the states of Vermont, New York and partially in Canada. Area - 1269 km2... The channel of the same name connects with the Hudson River. The lake has 80 islands, several of which are located in Grand Isle County. Coastal towns - Burlington, Plattsburgh, South Burlington. There are about 80 species of fish in the lake, about 300 species of birds use it as a habitat. There are several parks and organized beaches in the surrounding area.
Lake Bocharova
Located in Alaska, near the city of Egijik. Area - 1173 km2... Named after the discoverer Dmitry Bocharov, who explored the northern coast of Alaska at the end of the 18th century. A number of rivers flow into the lake, feeding it. It is home to a large salmon population. It is part of the national reserve of the same name. All conditions for fishing, hunting, hiking, observing wildlife, and camping are created for visitors.
St. Clair
Lies on the border of Michigan and Ontario. Area - 1100 km2... Belongs to the Great Lakes system. Together with the rivers, it acts as a connecting link between Lakes Huron and Erie. Quite a shallow body of water, the average depth is 3.4 meters, but in the navigation channel for cargo ships, the depth is 8.2 meters. There are several sailing, boat and yacht clubs along the coast, as well as sandy beaches. Sport fishing is popular.
Red
Located in northern Minnesota. The largest natural lake in this state, with an area of 1106 m2... The peninsula in the eastern part of the reservoir divides it almost in half - into the Upper and Lower Red Lake. The lower lake is located entirely on the territory of the Indian reservation with a population of about 1700 people. Sport fishing is popular on Krasnoye Lake, and zander is especially good at catching.
Selawik
Located in Alaska, 11 km from the city of the same name. Length - 50 km, area - 1046 km2... The only large river with the same name flows into the lake. It has a discharge into one of the bays of the Chukchi Sea. The habitat of migratory birds - Canadian cranes, geese, tundra swans. Fishing is popular. Lynxes, wolves, arctic foxes, foxes, and beavers are found in the coastal forests. The lake is bordered by the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge.
Fort Peck
It is the third largest reservoir in the United States. Area - 1018 km2... Located in Montana, on the Missouri River. It was formed in the 1930s by the Fort Peck Dam. Bordered by the Charles Russell Wildlife Sanctuary, which is dominated by pristine highland prairie and rolling hills. Famous for fishing. The reservoir is home to 50 species of fish. Also popular are hunting, horseback riding and quad biking, hiking, camping.
Salton Sea
Located in the southern California desert. Salt lake, the largest in the state. The salt concentration is higher than in the Pacific Ocean and continues to increase every year. About 400 species of birds live. The local attraction is the large colonies of the white pelican. Of the fish, only tilapia was found, but recently it is also dying en masse. In the 60s and 70s, it was a popular resort area. Today, due to pollution and shallowing, the lake is on the verge of death.
Rainey Lake
Located on the border between the state of Minnesota and the Canadian province of Ontario. Total area - 932 km2, most are in Canada. It is the remnant of an ancient glacial lake. Rich in fish. In the USA, the city of International Falls is located on the coast, in Canada - Fort Frances. In the southeastern part of the reservoir, there is Voyagers National Park, on the territory of which there are tourist parking, trails, snowmobile tracks, etc.
Devils Lake
Located in the state of North Dakota. Area - 777 km2... The lake is drainless, shallow and salty under normal conditions. With excessive precipitation, the water level increases significantly, the depth can reach 18 meters. Floods happen. Famous for excellent fishing, perch is especially good. There is a national hunting reserve on the southern coast. Also, several state parks and recreation areas have been created on the lake.
Toledo Bend
A reservoir on the territory of two states - Texas and Louisiana. The largest man-made lake in the southern states and the fifth largest in the United States. Formed in the 60s of the last century as a result of the construction of a dam on the Sabina River. Area - 749 km2... Habitat for many bird species. One of the five best fish lakes in the United States. In addition to fishing, boating, skiing, picnics, hunting, cottages and camping are popular.
Powell
It appeared in 1956 after the construction of a dam on the Colorado River. Area - 650 km2... Crosses the border between Arizona and Utah. The shores are framed by the steep slopes of a canyon made of reddish-brown sandstone. Stone sculptures are distinguished by bizarre shapes and resemble alien landscapes. A popular national recreation area has been created around the lake with a lot of options for active sports and relaxing pastime.
Kentucky
Lies in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. Area - 647 km2... It is of artificial origin, created in 1944 as a result of the construction of a dam on the Tennessee River. There are several parks along the coastline, the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge, and many resorts and recreation areas. In the vicinity there are restaurants, golf courses, go-karting, horse riding, kayaking, jet skiing, festivals and music shows.
Meade
Located in the states of Nevada and Arizona. The largest reservoir in the country in terms of volume. Located near Las Vegas. A dam on the Colorado River was built in 1935, resulting in the formation of a lake with an area of 640 km2... National recreation area. Popular water activities include skiing, boating and fishing. The lake has many small coves with good sandy beaches. There are several marinas.
Naknek
Located in the south of Alaska. Area - 627 km2... Located in the Katmai conservation area, famous for its volcanoes and a large population of brown bears. The lake is famous for sport fishing. Salmon live here in large numbers, which bears feast on. There are also trout, northern pike, and arctic char. Nearby there is Brooks Falls - an excellent place for watching bears; viewing platforms are equipped for tourists.
Winnebago
Lake in Wisconsin. Area - 557 km2... It is the remnant of the ancient glacial lake Oshkosh. The two main tributaries are the Fox and Wolfe rivers. Towns on the coast - Oshkosh, Nina, Menasha, Fon du Lac. The venue for fishing tournaments, sailing and ice races, motorboat competitions. There are several parks in the surrounding area with campgrounds, picnic areas, fishing piers, marinas and boat marinas.
Mil Lux
Shallow lake in Minnesota. Area - 536 km2... The eponymous national wildlife sanctuary is located on two islands in the center of the reservoir. One of the most fishy lakes in the state, the main spawning ground for pike perch, also perch, pike, burbot, etc. The cities on the coast are Harrison, Isle, Vineland, Onamia, Wacon. A popular place for family vacations. In the vicinity there are two national parks and parts of the Indian Reservation.
Flathead
Located in the state of Montana. Area - 497 km2... It is the remains of a very ancient glacial lake. The average depth is 50 meters, the maximum is 113 meters. It is considered one of the cleanest lakes. Nearby is the Glacier Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve. There are more than a dozen islands on the lake, one of them has a Wild Horse Island National Park. Ichthyofauna is represented by trout, perch, whitefish.
Tacho
Lake on the border between California and Nevada, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada range. It is considered the largest alpine lake in North America. Area - 495 km2... The depth is 500 meters. It is famous for its clear water and breathtaking panorama of snow-capped mountains. The area has a well-developed tourism industry - many ski trails, hiking and biking trails, restaurants, golf courses, sports equipment rentals, and on the Nevada side - gambling establishments.
