Completely Random Facts About the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes, which consist of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, are the largest freshwater system on Earth by surface area, making up 1/5th of the world’s surface freshwater.

The Great Lakes also have the second-largest volume of freshwater on Earth, after Lake Baikal in Russia. They collectively hold about 6 quadrillion gallons (22.7 quadrillion liters) of water, enough to submerge the continental United States in nearly 10 feet of water. Lake Superior is the deepest lake at 1,330 feet (406 m), while Lake Erie is the shallowest at 210 feet (64 m).

The shoreline of the Great Lakes, including islands, is around 11,000 miles, about 44% of the Earth’s circumference. Source

Lake Superior contains more water than the other Great Lakes combined and could even hold three additional Lake Eries. The average drop of water will travel in the lake for 191 years before making its way out through the Soo Locks on the St. Mary’s River. By comparison, Lake Erie replaces its water in only 2.6 years. Source, Source