The fish are snapping, so lets go fishing. The clearing of the water column is partly the result of the introduction and rapid spread of zebra mussels from Europe, which had the effect of covering the lake bottom, with each creature filtering a liter of fresh water each day, helping to restore the lake to a cleaner state. We repeat here only a However, it is the shallowest of the five lakes, with an average depth of 19 meters and a maximum depth of 64 meters. Some chose to sit and wait for authorities, while others headed east in search of an ice bridge Others managed to get to land on their own by riding their all-terrain vehicles about five miles east to where ice hadn't broken away. Omissions? These cause water to pile up at the eastern end of the lake. It has a surface area of 9,990 square miles (25,874km2)[7] with a length of 241 statute miles (388km; 209nmi)[7] and breadth of 57 statute miles (92km; 50nmi)[7] at its widest points. Lake Erie islands tend to be in the westernmost part of the lake and have different characters. [56] Clevelanders approved a bond issue by 2 to 1 to upgrade Cleveland's sewage system. [18] The shallowest section of Lake Erie is the western basin where depths average only 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1m); as a result, "the slightest breeze can kick up lively waves," also known as seiches. In western Pennsylvania, a wildlife reserve was established in 1991 in Springfield Township for hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and walking along the beach. [128] The cold conditions make diving difficult, requiring divers with skill and experience. [88], The Lake Erie water snake, a subspecies of the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), lives in the vicinity of Ohio's Put-in-Bay Harbor and had been placed on the threatened species list. [128][129] Ships headed eastward can take the Welland Canal[146] and a series of eight locks descending 326 feet (99m) to Lake Ontario which takes about 12 hours. [107] The change toward cleaner water has been in a positive direction since the 1970s. [113] Because of these and other concerns, in 1990, the National Wildlife Federation was on the verge of having a "negative fish consumption advisory" for walleye and smallmouth bass, which had been the main catch of an $800million commercial fishing industry. [126] A longer growing season because of the lake-moderated temperatures make the risk of early frosts less likely. [94] Birds affected included grebes, common and red-breasted mergansers, loons, diving ducks, ring-billed gulls, and herring gulls. Trolling or bottom-bouncing are good tactics. Cleveland's director of public utilities Ben Stefanski pursued a massive effort to "scrub the Cuyahoga"; the effort cost $100million in bonds, according to one estimate. [19] The 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement significantly reduced the dumping and runoff of phosphorus into the lake. 30 BIG Boats! The deep cool waters that spawn the best fishing is in the Canadian side of the lake. [136], In 1997, The New York Times reporter Donna Marchetti took a bike tour around the Lake Erie perimeter, traveling 40 miles (64km) per day and staying at bed and breakfasts. [128] One report suggests there are more wrecks per square mile than any other freshwater location, including wrecks from Indigenous watercraft. Lake Erie (42.2 N, 81.2W) has a mean elevation of 571 feet (174m)[8] above sea level. 1 Reviews 50+ Ratings ALL CRITICS TOP CRITICS VERIFIED AUDIENCE ALL AUDIENCE. [49] In 2006, concerns arose of possible avian influenza (bird flu) after two wild swans on the lake were found diseased, but they did not contain the H5N1 virus. [104] There have been instances of beach closings at Presque Isle because of unexplained E. Coli contaminations,[105] possibly caused by sewer water overflows after heavy downpours. Stone Laboratory was donated to the Ohio State University by Julius Stone in 1925 as part of the university's Ohio Sea Grant College program. Lake Erie was carved out by glacier ice[6] and in its current form is less than 4,000 years old, which is a short span in geological terms. [145], The lake has been a shipping lane for maritime vessels for centuries. An international water-rights policy overseen by the Great Lakes Commission, the compact aims to prevent diversion of water from Great Lakes to distant states, as well as to set standards for use and conservation. The last of these lakes to form, Lake Warren, existed between about 13,000 and 12,000 years ago. [117] Cuts of 30 to 45 percent for certain fish were made in 2007. [57] By the 1980s, there were about 130 fishing vessels with about 3,000 workers,[39] but commercial fishing was declining rapidly, particularly from the American side. Happy Pride! Even in the coldest winters, there are dangerous patches of thin ice. [67] A plan by Samsung to build an offshore wind farm on the north shore of the lake, from Port Maitland to Nanticoke for a distance of 15.5mi (24.9km),[68] has been met with opposition from residents. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Erie, Lakepedia - Lake Erie: The Tenth Largest Freshwater Lake In The World, United States Environmental Protection Agency - Lake Erie, Lake Erie - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Lake Erie - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). "Dear Tom, How often does Lake Michigan freeze over ", "On Great Lakes, Winter Is Served Straight Up", "Lake Erie soaring to record-breaking temperatures", "Heaps of decaying smelt blanket Lake Erie shore", "Lake Erie undergoing 'huge' ecological changes", "Bloody-red shrimp invades Great Lakes: The newest invader swarming in the Great Lakes is the bloody-red shrimp and they're bloody likely to have a negative impact", "Invasive Species of Lakes Erie and Ontario", "Researchers track Lake Erie algae blooms", "International Reference Group on Great Lakes Pollution from Land Use Activities", "Enlarged environmental 'dead zone' ripples across Lake Erie", "Summer algal bloom coming on strong in western Lake Erie", "Scientists on high alert as green menace threatens Lake Erie", "Large Lake Erie algal bloom nearing Colchester tested for toxicity", "Lake Erie's toxic algal bloom spreads, prompting warnings", "UWindsor researchers test the waters for harmful algae bloom", "Lake Erie water snakes grow in numbers, help ecosystem", "Swarms of mayflies on wing over Lake Erie", "8,000 Lake Erie Water Birds Dead of Botulism, Experts Say", "Birds Feeding at Lake Erie Die in Botulism Outbreak", "Possible H5N1 bird flu in wild birds near Lake Erie", "Giant tropical bird spotted over Lake Erie", "Troubled Waters: Pollution in the Great Lakes: Topic spans: 19591996", "Environment: Comeback for the Great Lakes", "REF 51 "U.S. Great Lakes, chain of deep freshwater lakes in east-central North America comprising Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Its rocky shorelines, sandy state park beach, lush forests, popular winery and brewery, historic homes and friendly hospitality are inviting. The lake's formerly more extensive lakebed creates a favorable environment for agriculture in the bordering areas of Ontario, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Summertime is prime time in northern Ohio, where a narrow span of Lake Erie separates America's roller-coaster mecca in Sandusky from Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay for the choice of serene or boisteroussometimes in the same day. Ferryboats operate in numerous places: such as the passenger-only Jet Express Ferry from Sandusky and Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay and Kelly's Island. The British, allied with the Iroquois, developed trade along Lake Erie in the late 17th century. [32] Thousands of ships make this journey each year. Weeds proliferate, turning water frontage into swamp. There were reports of disasters usually from sea captains passing information to reporters; in 1868, the captain of the Grace Whitney saw a sunken vessel with "three men clinging to the masthead," but he could not help because of the gale and high seas.[44]. [132] In addition, there are wrecks of smaller vessels, with occasional drownings of fishermen. [89] By 2010, the water snake population was over 12,000 snakes. Other major cities along the lake shore include Buffalo, New York; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Toledo, Ohio. The Ontario fishery is one of the most intensively managed in the world. [113] Because of the threat of PCBs, It was recommended, that persons eat no more than one walleye meal per month. Still, the commercial fishery is the target of critics who would like to see the lake managed for the exclusive benefit of sport fishing and the various industries serving the sport fishery. Situated below Lake Huron, Erie's primary inlet is the Detroit River. Navigation downstream is provided by the Welland Canal, part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Due to its southernmost position, Lake Erie is the warmest of all of the Great Lakes. [115][144] There were reports in 1990 of people seeing a "large creature moving in the water about 1,000 feet (300m) from their boat" described as black in color, about 35 feet (11m) long, with a snakelike head, and moving as fast as a boat. Lake Erie ( / ri / "eerie") is the fourth-largest lake by surface area of the five Great Lakes in North America and the eleventh-largest globally. [74] Two two-year, $2million studies are trying to understand the "growing zone", which was described as a 10-foot-thick layer of cold water at the bottom, 55 feet (17m) in one area, which stretches 100 miles [160km] across the lake's center. According to one estimate, 34 to 36 inches (860 to 910mm) of water evaporate each year from the surface of the lake,[6] which allows for rainfall and other precipitation in surrounding areas. British authorities in Canada were nervous about possible expansion by American settlers across Lake Erie, so Colonel Thomas Talbot developed the Talbot Trail in 1809 as a way to stimulate settlement to the area; Talbot recruited settlers from Ireland and Scotland, and there are numerous places named after him in southern Ontario, such as Port Talbot, the Talbot River, and Talbotville. [19] Long-distance swimmers have swum across the lake to set records; for example, a 15-year-old amputee swam the 12-mile (19km) stretch across the lake in 2001. Islanders welcome visitors to share in their laid-back lifestyle. [32] Along the southeastern shore of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York is an important grape-growing region, as are the islands in the lake. [32] During the 19th century, ships could enter the Buffalo River and travel the Erie Canal eastward to Albany then south to New York City along the Hudson River. [91] These insects were a sign of Lake Erie's move back to health, since the mayflies require clean water to thrive. [107] Cleanup efforts were described in 1979 as a notable environmental success story, suggesting that the cumulative effect of legislation, studies, and bans had reversed the effects of pollution:[107]. In short, Lake Erie is in danger of dying by suffocation. [131] There was speculation that the sunken vessel had been a gambling ship, and therefore there might have been money aboard, but most historians were skeptical. [20] Later, there was a battle on the ice with the Royal 32nd Regiment, with the rebels being driven to retreat.[20]. "I went out to the shore of the lake again and again, to try and see the other side, but I could see no hill, mountain, nor city of the asylum I sought," he once told an interviewer. [144], There have been sporadic reports of people in Cleveland being able to see the Canadian shoreline as if it were immediately offshore, even though Canada is 50 miles (80km) from Cleveland. [117] The Lake Erie fishery was one of the first fisheries in the world managed on individual transferable quotas and features mandatory daily catch reporting and intensive auditing of the catch reporting system. Lake Erie is primarily fed by the Detroit River (from Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair) and drains via the Niagara River and Niagara Falls into Lake Ontario. A large lowland basin formed over two million years ago as a result of an eastern flowing river that existed well before the Pleistocene ice ages. [130] It had sunk in 1852 after a collision with the steamship Ogdensburg, six miles (9.7km) west of Long Point, Ontario, and survivors from Atlantic were saved by the crew of Ogdensburg. Point Pelee National Park lies on the northwestern shore in southern Ontario. Common non-indigenous fish species include the rainbow smelt, alewife, white perch and common carp. Facing fines were Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., Shell Oil Co., Uniroyal Chemical Division of Uniroyal Inc. and Olin Corp.[100] United States Attorney General John N. Mitchell gave a press conference December 18, 1970, referencing new pollution control litigation, with particular reference to work with the Environmental Protection Agency, and announcing the filing of a lawsuit that morning against the Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation for discharging substantial quantities of cyanide into the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland. While commercial fishing declined, sport fishing has remained. Some of the rebels stationed themselves in the U.S. and crossed the ice from Sandusky Bay to Pelee Island wearing "tattered overcoats and worn-out boots", and carrying muskets, pitchforks, and swords,[20] but the islanders had already fled. [48] In 1913, a memorial to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was built on Put-in-Bay island featuring a Doric column. In most locations, catches are coming off the bottom in 30-60 feet of water. [56] Sometimes poorly constructed sanitary systems meant that when old pipes broke, raw sewage would spill directly into the Cuyahoga River and into the lake. State of Ohio, Division of Geological Survey, Monthly bulletin of Lake Levels for The Great Lakes; September 2009; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. [36] In 2003, divers discovered the steamer Canobie near Presque Isle, which had sunk in 1921. Friction with the ground causes air to pile up. [93] One account suggests that bird populations are in trouble, notably the wood warbler, which had population declines around 60% in 2008. Non-native sport fish such as rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked specifically for anglers to catch. The western basin of the lake is the shallowest of all the great lakes. By 1975 the popular commercial fish blue pike had been declared extinct, although the declaration may have been premature. Heavy lake-effect snowfalls can occur when cold air travels 60 miles (97km) or longer over a large unfrozen lake. Lake Erie features a shoreline covering over three quarters of a mile bordering the shallowest of the Great Lakes. Lake Erie's fish populations are the most abundant of the Great Lakes, partially because of the lake's relatively mild temperatures and plentiful supply of plankton, which is the basic building block of the food chain. Lake Erie is the 4th largest of the five Great Lakes, with a surface area of 25,874 square kilometers. Call the reservation center at 216-898-9951 for lodging deals. [38], During the Prohibition years from 1919 to 1933, a "great deal of alcohol crossed Erie"[20] along with "mobster corpses" dumped into the Detroit River which sometimes washed up on the beaches of Pelee Island. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. "Not enough is being done to stop fertilizer and phosphorus from getting into the lake and causing blooms," he added. [121] There was a report that charter boat fishing increased substantially on the American side, from 46 to 638 charter boats in operation in Ohio alone, during a period from 1975 to 1985 as pollution levels declined and after populations of walleye increased substantially in the lake. [81] Some scientists speculate that the dead zone is a naturally occurring phenomenon. [130][131] One account suggests 130 people drowned[130] while another suggests about 20 drowned. [32] There are few bike repair shops in Ontario on the route.[32]. [107] One estimate was that $5billion was spent to upgrade plants to treat sewage. The interactions between new species can sometimes have beneficial effects, as well as harmful effects. At its deepest point Lake Erie is 210 feet (64m) deep. [81] It kills fish and microscopic creatures of the lake's food chain and fouls the water, and may cause further problems in later years for sport and commercial fishing. Learn More. [80], The conservation practices are not monitored and have not been kept up. The day began with fishermen setting down wooden pallets to create a bridge over a crack in the ice so they could roam farther out on the lake. It has been speculated that this is a weather-related phenomenon, working on similar principles as a mirage. In 2010, Canadian police arrested persons crossing the border illegally from the United States to Canada, near the Ontario town of Amherstburg.[149]. Lake Erie has a lake retention time of 2.6 years,[23] the shortest of all the Great Lakes. [89] The snake is helpful in keeping the population of goby fish in check. Berkes, F. 1984. [37] American soldiers swept through the Ontario area around Port Rowan burning towns and villages. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) President Joe Biden's administration took the first . Many British loyalists then moved north of the lake into Ontario, and the U.S shores were not settled until after 1796. [101] Jones filed the misdemeanor charges in district court, alleging violations of the 1899 Rivers and Harbors Act.[102]. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). For islanders in the Western Basin, it is the equivalent of summer vacation Once the lake freezes, islanders organize impromptu ice rallies. [89] They mate from late May through early June and can be found in large mating balls with one female bunched within several males. Top Things to Do on Ohio's Lake Erie Shore. Whether camping in one of the 102 campsites or one of the 10 cabins offered at this park, the magnificent scenery will capture your attention. [32], During the War of 1812, Oliver Hazard Perry captured an entire British fleet in 1813[36] near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, despite having inferior numbers. [140] Currents can pose a problem, and there have been occasional incidents of drownings. In the 1970s and 1980s, as pollution in the lake declined, counts of walleyes which were caught grew from 112,000 in 1975 to 4.1million in 1985, with estimates of the numbers of walleyes in the lake at around 33 million in the basin, with many of 8 pounds (3.6kg) or more. The lake has since become clean enough to allow sunlight to infiltrate its water and produce algae and sea weed, but a dead zone persists. [49] Occasionally there have been mass die-offs of certain species of fish, sometimes for reasons unknown, such as many numbers of rainbow smelt in May 2010. [46] During the history of the lake as a fishery, there has been marked battling by opposing interest groups: The preservation of the fisheries of Lake Erie has become a serious problem to all who have given it close attention the fisheries are being exhausted by the wasteful methods which are now in vogue it is still the custom of the pound fishermen about Sandusky to take fish of all sizes, and if they are too small to be marketable they are turned over to a fertilizer factory. [111] In 1984, Ohio sold 27,000 nonresident fishing permits, and sport fishing was described as big business. Lake Erie has 31 islands (13 in Canada, 18 in the U.S.), located generally in the western side of the lake. The shorelines of these lakes left behind high ground sand ridges that cut through swamps and were used as trails for Native peoples and later, pioneers. When fishermen realized late Saturday morning that the ice had broken away, they began to debate the best way off. [139] It is illegal for swimmers younger than 14 to attempt such a crossing. [39] An important business was fishing. [32], Both the Erie and Neutrals were colonized and assimilated by their hostile eastern neighbors, the Iroquois Confederacy, between 1651 and 1657 during the Beaver Wars. A storm around Christmas in 2001 pounded Buffalo with 7 feet (2.1m) of snow. [91] Zebra mussels filtering extra nutrients from the lake allows the mayfly larvae to thrive. The commission has been the focus of considerable recrimination, primarily from angler and charter fishing groups in the U.S. which have had a historical antipathy to commercial fishing interests. [15], Periodically, a dead zone, or region of low oxygen, occurs in the lake, the location of which varies. [14] Since fewer wetlands remain to filter nutrients, and greater channelization of waterways, nutrients in water can cause algal blooms to sprout, with "low-oxygen dead zones" in a complex interaction of natural forces. There are efforts to identify shipwreck sites and survey the lake floor to map the location of underwater sites, possibly for further study or exploration. Reports are conflicting about the overall effect of global warming on the Great Lakes region, including Lake Erie. [35] Lake Erie was the last of the Great Lakes to be explored by Europeans, since the Iroquois who occupied the Niagara River area were in conflict with the French, and they did not allow explorers or traders to pass through; explorers followed rivers out of Lake Ontario and portaged to Lake Huron. The first ice usually forms in late November, and by January it locks into place. [49] One report suggests the oxygen-poor zone began about 1993 in the lake's central basin and becomes more pronounced during summer, but is somewhat of a mystery why this happens. The lake provides drinking water for about eleven million of these inhabitants. The grand jury indicted four corporations for polluting Lake Erie and waterways in northeast Ohio. Because of its small size and shallow character, the lake has a comparatively short water-retention time of 2.6 years. [55], During the 20th century, commercial fishing was prevalent but so was the boom in manufacturing industry around the lake, and often rivers and streams were used as sewers to flush untreated sewage which ended up in the lake. One account suggests that climate change is causing greater evaporation of lake water, leading to warmer temperatures, as well as thinner or nonexistent ice in winter, which is fueling concerns that "Erie appears to be shrinking" and is the most likely candidate among the five Great Lakes to "turn into a festering mud puddle. Improve this listing All photos (54) Top ways to experience nearby attractions [139] In Port Dover, Ontario, swimmers do high-dives at the annual "Polar Bear Swim" on the beach. [99] It was the first grand jury investigation of water pollution in the area. 341 PM EDT Sun Jun 25 2023 For waters beyond five nautical miles of shore on Lake Erie Waves are the significant wave height - the average of the highest 1/3 of the wave spectrum. Since warm, moist air is less dense than cold air, the heated air rises. When the rescued fishermen made it to shore, authorities had them line up single-file to take down their names. [74] Another report cites Ohio's Maumee River as the main source of polluted runoff of phosphorus from industries, municipalities, tributaries and agriculture, and in 2008, satellite images showed the algal bloom heading toward Pelee Island.