Lake Michigan
Loading...
Authors
Michigan Sea Grant College Program
Issue Date
1990-01
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Subject
Lake Michigan , Water Use , Economic Importance , Resource Issues , Rivers , Tributaries , Map , Land and Shoreline Use , Dimensions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake and
the sixth largest freshwater lake in the world. Because
Lake Michigan is joined to Lake Huron at the
Straits of Mackinac, they are considered one lake
hydrologically. Many rivers and streams flow into
Lake Michigan, and the major tributaries are the
Fox-Wolf, the Grand and the Kalamazoo. There is a
diversion from the lake into the Mississippi River
basin through the Illinois Waterway at the Chicago
River. Lake Michigannulls cul-de-sac formation means
that water entering the lake circulates slowly and
remains for a long time (retention) before it leaves
the basin through the Straits of Mackinac. Small
lunar tidal effects have been documented for Lake
Michigan. Internal waves (upwellings) can produce
a 15 degree C. water temperature decrease along
the coast in only a few hours, requiring drastic
alterations in fishing strategy.
The northern part of the Lake Michigan watershed
is covered with forests, sparsely populated, and
economically dependent on natural resources and
tourism, while the southern portion is heavily
populated with intensive industrial development
and rich agricultural areas along the shore. The
worldnulls largest freshwater dunes line the lakeshore.
Millions of people annually visit the dunes/beaches
at state and national parks and lakeshores. A circle
tour guides highway travelers around the
lakeshore.
Description
This is a pamphlet created my the Michigan Sea Grant College Program that details the usage and importance of Lake Michigan.
Citation
Publisher
Michigan Sea Grant