Lake ontario

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is surrounded on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south and east by the American state of New York, whose water boundaries meet in the middle of the lake.

Geography

Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the Great Lakes and the smallest in surface area (7,340 sq mi, 18,960 km2), although it exceeds Lake Erie in volume (393 cu mi, 1,639 km3). It is the 13th largest lake in the world. Lake Ontario has a length of 193 miles (311 km) and a breadth of 53 miles (85 km), with a mean depth of 283 feet (86 m).

Hydrology

The lake's primary source is the Niagara River, draining Lake Erie, with the Saint Lawrence River serving as the outlet. Other major tributaries include the Genesee River, the Oswego River, the Black River, and the Trent River.

Ecology

Lake Ontario, like the other Great Lakes, serves as an important part of the ecosystem for a variety of wildlife. It is home to a large number of species of fish and birds. The lake's health is monitored by several agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

History

The lake was a border between the Huron and their vassals and the Iroquois Confederacy in pre-European times. The first European to reach the lake, Étienne Brûlé, did so in 1615. The area around the lake was a part of the French colony of New France until 1763, when it was taken over by the British. It became a part of the United States after the American Revolutionary War, but was returned to Britain following the War of 1812.

Economy

Lake Ontario plays a major role in the economy of Ontario and New York. The lake is a part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, which allows ships to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. This has made the lake a major shipping route and a significant source of hydroelectric power.

See also

• Great Lakes
• Niagara River
• Saint Lawrence River

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