Why is Lake Huron so clear?

Over that period, they found, the depth that light could penetrate down into the water — known as the photic zone — increased by about 20 percent in lakes Michigan and Huron. They attribute part of that change to less phosphorous runoff. Climate change also likely plays a role.



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The first two questions involve if you can swim in Lake Huron and if it's clean to swim in. The short answer for both is “Yes.” However, it's safest when you can still see your feet at knee-deep water level. If the bottom sediment is stirred up too much, the level of E. coli could be too high for swimming.

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The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is about 8 metres or 27 feet, making it the cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes.

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“Lake Erie, the smallest and shallowest of the five lakes, is also the filthiest; if every sewage pipe were turned off today, it would take 10 years for nature to purify Erie.

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Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake by area (31,700 mi2 /82,100 km2). It is also the coldest and deepest of the Great Lakes, with a maximum depth of 406 meters (1,332 feet). By most measures, it is the healthiest of all the Great Lakes.

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Pathogens wash off the land from wild animal, farm animal and pet waste, and can also enter the lake from improperly functioning septic systems, leaky sewer lines and boat sanitary disposal systems.

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Italy's Lugano and Maggiore were the most polluted in an international survey of 38 lakes.

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The opposite of Lake Superior in almost every way, Lake Ontario is the easternmost, lowest in elevation, smallest in surface area and perhaps the most polluted Great Lake.

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Lake Michigan The Great Lakes are all water bodies that swimmers should think twice about entering. Lake Michigan in particular is the roughest of the Great Lakes, and poses a major risk to those thinking of taking a dip. This body of water is often named the most dangerous lake in the United States.

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Chemical contamination, non-native invasive species, habitat loss, poor coastal health, and aquatic food web changes are the greatest threats to the Lake Huron ecosystem. Fathom Five National Park, Canada. Photo: Environment Canada.

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Lake Erie is the shallowest, warmest, and most productive of the Great Lakes. Three distinct basins provide a variety of offshore habitats. The Detroit River, Maumee River, and smaller tributaries drain into the western basin, which averages 24 feet deep and contains extremely nutrient-rich water.

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Although no one recommends drinking water directly from Lake Huron (seagull feces is one of the pollutants that can create issues), many shoreline municipalities receive their treated drinking water from the lake.

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