Why is it in the news?
→ Remains of luxury steamer Lac La Belle discovered at the bottom of Lake Michigan after more than 150 years. Discovery renewed focus on the lake’s geography and significance.
Category: Geography
Important Points
- Third largest of the five Great Lakes of North America.
- Only Great Lake lies wholly within the United States.
- Fourth largest freshwater lake and fifth largest lake globally by surface area.
- Surface area is about 57,757 sq km.
- Length about 517 km; maximum width about 190 km.
- Connected directly to Lake Huron through the Straits of Mackinac.
- Water levels of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron remain in equilibrium.
- Major inflowing rivers include Fox-Wolf, Grand, St. Joseph and Kalamazoo.
- The northern end contains islands; the largest is Beaver Island.
- Contains habitats like tallgrass prairies, savannas and largest freshwater sand dunes.
- Supports rare and endangered species such as Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly and Dwarf Lake Iris.