Geography | Ecology | Activities

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The geography of Lake Michigan makes it the second largest lake of the five Great Lakes. Located in the northeastern part of the United States, the length of Lake Michigan is 307 miles, the width is 118 miles, the depth is 925 feet maximum, and 279 feet average depth (“Lake Michigan” pg 1). The Shore Line is 1,660 miles and is composed largely of sand and pebble beaches. Lake Michigan also shares waters with other lakes, rivers, and large cities. Lake Huron shares waters with Lake Michigan as do the Chicago River and the Mississippi River. Major cities in United States like Chicago, Michigan City, Gary, Racine, Milwaukee, and Escanaba are located along the coast of Lake Michigan (“Lake Michigan” pg 3).

Lake Michigan ecology is a gigantic part of the qualities of the lake. The lake has distinctive biodiversity of plants and animals in and around the lake that depend on the water and other resources. The resources are not only used by the living organisms of the lake but also by the humans who live nearby. Crops and forest flourish thanks to the ecology

of the lake. Also, there are small communities and residential areas that try to preserve natural aspects of the Lake Michigan nature.
Human activities that entertain people are always there all year round no matter the season. During the summer, families, friends, and visitors from other states and countries go to the coasts of Lake Michigan to shower themselves in the cool waters to refresh from the hot temperatures. However, others go to play sports or to exercise while some just go to enjoy the day or spend time with their pets. Another thing that happens in the lake is that human activities have also affected the lake with pollutants and chemicals. According to the Alliance For The Great Lakes, “runoff of soils and chemicals from agricultural lands, waste from cities, discharges from industrial areas and leachate from disposal sites” are sources of pollution that are affecting the environment  (“Lake Michigan Statistics” pg 2).