Why is Lake Michigan one of the deadliest lakes?
Several factors contribute to Lake Michigan’s high number of incidents and fatalities: Powerful Currents: Unlike oceans with predictable tides, Lake Michigan experiences various types of dangerous currents that can appear suddenly and pull even strong swimmers away from shore. Each year there are an average of 12 drowning fatalities and 23 rescues due to dangerous currents on the Great Lakes (10 year average). Most of these incidents have occurred on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore due to the prevailing wind direction resulting in favorable current development.
Is Lake Superior the cleanest lake in the world?
The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is 27 feet, making it easily the cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes. Underwater visibility in places reaches 100 feet. Lake Superior has been described as the most oligotrophic lake in the world. Lake Superior’s beaches are open and safe for swimming over 90% of the time, and the water is extremely clear, with an average underwater visibility of 8.
What is the largest predator in Lake Superior?
Lake Trout are the top native predator in Lake Superior and historically supported important recreational and commercial fisheries. Lake Sturgeon are the largest and longest-living fish in Lake Michigan. They can live up to 150 years and grow up to 250 pounds. They reach a length of 6 to 7 feet long.In Lake Michigan, Chinook salmon are a dominant predator whose diet consists mostly of alewives, an important mid-water prey fish. Chinook salmon and alewives together support an important recreational fishery, and Chinooks are a preferred and targeted species for many recreational and charter anglers.Lake sturgeons are the biggest fish in the Great Lakes. And while individuals can pass the century mark, the species has been around since the days of the dinosaurs.The lake trout, Lake Superior’s largest native predator, has returned to normal populations. It is a unique species with four ecological variants: lean, siscowet, humper, and redfin.