Lake Huron

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Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of the North American continent. The border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the American state of Michigan runs along its waters. On the shores of the lake and its numerous islands there are parks and beach resorts, where tourists come mainly from the United States and Canada. In summer, the season of navigation of cruise ships opens here, yacht marinas, diving clubs, entertainment centers.

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Video: Lake Huron

Contents

Highlights

The Great Lakes basin is home to 40 million Americans and Canadians, but the shores of Lake Huron are relatively sparsely populated, with no large industrial centers. Small port and resort communities with decent infrastructure are built along the shores. Port Huron is the largest lakeside city in the state of Michigan, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is followed in population by Owen Sound, with 22,000 residents, in the Canadian province of Ontario.

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Tourists come to Lake Huron to relax at beach resorts, experience Midwestern history, hike national park trails, go boating, and, of course, fish. The waters of Huron are home to walleye, Canadian lake trout, also known as Arctic char, chinook salmon (spotted seatrout), pikeperch, carp, perch, and pike. In the 1960s, millions of Pacific salmon fry were introduced into Lake Huron, and the newcomers took to the lake environment quite well. Other newcomers also appeared here, diversifying the fishermen’s catch: river herring, sea lamprey, rainbow smelt and even Black Sea gobies.

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On the shores of Lake Huron tourists will find beach hotels and cottages, numerous parks with untouched nature. Railway lines and excellent highways lead to the lake. Local regional airports receive flights from major cities in the U.S. and Canada.

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History of Lake Huron

Lake Huron, like the neighboring Great Lakes of North America, began to form about 14,000 years ago as another era of glaciation was coming to an end. Glaciers retreating northward gradually melted, filling vast depressions in the continental topography with water.

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Geological surveys and archaeological studies indicate that about 9,000 years ago, the water level in Lake Huron was about 100 meters lower than today. In that era, the body of water was crossed by a narrow land bridge – the now submerged Alpena-Amberley Ridge. Numerous herds of reindeer migrated seasonally across this natural crossing. Underwater archaeologists have discovered dozens of man-made stone structures along the way. Prehistoric Paleo-Indians who lived on the shores of Lake Huron built these enclosures to hunt horned game. Arrowheads made of obsidian have also been found here. It has been determined that this volcanic glass was transported thousands of miles away, from the territory of the future state of Oregon.

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The first European to reach the shores of the huge lake was French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1615. The traveler mapped the body of water under the name La Mer Douce (“Freshwater Sea”). The lake was soon given its modern name in honor of the indigenous Huron people who inhabited its shores.

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From the 17th century to the mid-19th century, Lake Huron and its shores were disputed territories over which England and France fought with Indian tribes. The subject of the disagreement was the lucrative trade in timber and furs. Europeans built several forts on the shores of the lake to control navigation, many of the forts have been preserved, and today they house museum exhibitions. Among the historical monuments are 120 lighthouses erected on the islands and coasts in the century before last and in the beginning of the XX century. They still point the way for skippers of ships traveling on the lake.

Sometimes there are grand storms on the expanses of Lake Huron. The first recorded shipwreck was the disaster of the French schooner Le Griffon, loaded with valuable furs, it sank in 1679. And the cyclone that raged here in November 1913 is remembered to this day. The locals call it the White Hurricane. Snowy wind squalls reached speeds of 140 km/h, drifts and ice paralyzed traffic in coastal towns and railroads. On the lake rose 12-meter waves, which are rarely seen even in the ocean, the storm threw ashore or sunk 38 ships. In all, more than 1,000 ships that perished in its stormy waters over the past 350 years rest at the bottom of Lake Huron.

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Geography

Among the five freshwater Great Lakes of North America, Lake Huron ranks second in water area at about 59,600 km², and in the planetary ranking Lake Huron ranks third, behind only neighboring Lake Superior (82,100 km²) and Africa’s Lake Victoria (68,870 km²). The average depth of Huron is 59 meters and the maximum depth reaches 229 meters. In the north and east, the waves of the lake wash the shores of the province of Ontario (Canada), and in the south and west – the coasts of the state of Michigan (USA). The length of Huron’s shoreline is 6,157 kilometers.

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The main tributaries of the reservoir are the St. Marys and Au Sable rivers. The St. Clair River flows out of the southern limits of the lake. At its source are the cities of Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, connected by a bridge and ferry.

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Thousands of islands rise above the waters of Lake Huron, among them stands out the huge Manitoulin (2766 km²), the largest lake island in the world, belonging to Canada. In the language of the indigenous Algonquin people, its name means “Manitou Spirit Island”. According to ancient belief, the mighty Manitou dwells in an underwater cave. It does exist and is revered by the locals.

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The island is home to a dozen settlements where Indians live. There are two airfields that accept small private airplanes. In the summer, passenger ferries run to the island.

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Manitoulin is so large that it holds several rivers where trout and salmon spawn, as well as a hundred of its own lakes. The largest of these is Lake Manitou (104 km²). In the center of the neighboring Lake Mindemoya is a hilly island of the same name, densely covered with pine trees. It is home to a popular tourist campground.

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In the province of Ontario, on the Canadian shores of Lake Huron, stretches Algonquin National Park. It is home to a natural climatic cordon where southern deciduous forests are replaced by northern coniferous trees. Beech, maple and hazel alternate here with red Canadian pines, larches and cedars. Getting here is convenient via the nearby towns of Pembroke or Huntsville. The park has tourist campgrounds and information offices where visitors can familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of the landscape, local flora and fauna. On the vast territory of the park (7725 km²) there are 2400 lakes and dozens of rivers. Water routes for canoe trips reach up to 1200 km.

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To the east of Lake Huron is Lake Michigan, the bodies of water are connected by the wide Strait of Makino. In 1957, the 8-kilometer-long Makino Suspension Road Bridge, the longest in the Western Hemisphere, was erected here. Two 168-meter pylons hold up the 1,158-meter-long main span on cables, under which ocean-going ships pass freely.

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At the northern end of the bridge crossing is the town of St. Ignace, while to the south the bridge exits to the village of Mackinaw City. There is a toll on the bridge – $4 per passenger car. Movement of pedestrians and bicyclists on the bridge is prohibited, but the giant structure can be viewed from the water. A boat ride to the Makino Bridge costs $27 per person.

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At the eastern end of the strait lies Makino Island, just over 11 km², which has a well-developed resort infrastructure. It is home to the playing fields of Michigan’s oldest golf club, Wawashkamo Golf Club. A large part of the island is occupied by a protected landscape park, beach hotels, restaurants and stores are built on the coast. All new buildings are built in the Victorian style, preserving the look of the old village, built here by the British in the XVIII century.

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A surprising feature of Makino Island is that for over 120 years there has been a ban on motorized transportation, except for emergency vehicles, police and utilities. Locals and tourists ride horseback or in horse-drawn phaetons, and bicycles are available.

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Lake Huron is connected to the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence River, with ocean-going commercial motor vessels entering the lake harbors. Through the canal system, ships of medium tonnage can enter the Mississippi. Heading south down the great river, they reach the ports of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Climate and weather

Lake Huron lies in a humid continental climate belt with cold windy winters and hot summers. The lake’s colossal expanse of water noticeably moderates the weather. Thus, in the lakeside region of the state of Michigan vineyards, apple and cherry orchards are cultivated. Typically, these crops are grown much further south in the United States.

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The average January temperature on the shores of Lake Huron is -6…-4 ° C, but there are also extreme frosts up to -28 ° C, brought by Arctic cyclones from the north of Canada. In spring it is cool here, from June till August it is quite comfortable, air temperature fluctuates within +22 … +26 °С, sometimes reaching +34 °С. In summer the water in Lake Huron warms up to +22…+23 °С. The beach season lasts from June to the beginning of September. By the way, unlike other Great Lakes, on Guron there are not only stony, but also sandy beaches.

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In winter, the lake rarely freezes completely, but coastal waters and shallow bays are covered with ice. From December through March, commercial shipping in the waters ceases, although there are several icebreakers based at ports in Michigan and Ontario that can navigate through the ice.

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Interesting places

A couple hours north of Detroit on the shores of Lake Huron sits the friendly town of Port Austin. Tourists are attracted by sandy beaches, a weekly farmer’s fair, a nearby national park, and cozy cottages built for guests.

Not far from the Port Austin shoreline, a quaint rock formation known as Turnip Rock rises above the waters of Lake Huron. The base of the limestone cliff rising from the lake bed has been “shaped” by storm waves over many millennia. A thin foot supports a massive cone-shaped top, which gives the natural monument the outline of a turnip. A miniature pine grove, which by some miracle grew on the top of the cliff, plays the role of a root crop. The remarkable rock can be accessed by canoe, and for those who wish to see the stone “Turnip” from afar, there is a hiking trail along the shore of Lake Huron.

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Impressive natural attractions await tourists on Canada’s expansive Manitoulin Island. The island’s Kagawang River, flowing from the lake of the same name, features a cascade of waterfalls. One of them, Bridel Vale, falls down a wide transparent curtain from a height of 11 meters. A tourist path leads to the waterfall, and there are viewing platforms on the banks of the river.

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The Wiikwemkung Indian Reservation on northeastern Manitoulin Island is home to the Potawatomi, Ojibwa and Odawa indigenous peoples. The tribal alliance is governed by the Three Fires Council. It hosts the annual Wiikwemkoong Pow-Wow Indigenous Folklore Festival in August, one of the largest in North America.

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The festival program includes: ancient ritual dances, sporting events including canoe races, shooting and archery competitions, and fishing tournaments. Tasting of national cuisine is offered in specially erected tepees, and Indian souvenirs are sold. For guests are conducted walking and horseback riding tours of the natural attractions of the island with a visit to national parks.

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Tourists tend to visit the resort island of Makino (Michigan), where the national park of the same name is located, one of the first in the United States. The park has preserved the buildings of an ancient fort, once guarding the Makino Strait. The fort’s bronze cannons pointing toward Lake Huron are a reminder of the United States War of Independence with the British Empire.

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Among the island’s historic attractions is the luxurious Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island, built in 1887 for visitors to the national park. U.S. presidents, Hollywood stars and other celebrities have visited here. Accommodation at the Grand Hotel will cost $493-$916 per night. From May 1 to October 31 to Makino Island run passenger catamarans, in winter on the ice of the lake here can be reached by snowmobile.

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On the western shores of Lake Huron is the Thunder Bay Marine Reserve. Here 116 wrecks rest on the bottom. In the summertime, pleasure boats with transparent bottoms that allow you to see the wrecks depart from the city of Alpena to the wreck sites.

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Another underwater attraction of Lake Huron accessible to scuba divers is the petrified forest located at a depth of 12 meters. The location is 3 kilometers from the waterfront of the city of Lexington. Scientists were able to determine the age of the trees: the forest was submerged about 7,000 years ago.

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Lake Huron cruises

During the summer navigation period from May to mid-September, cruise ships filled with tourists depart from the harbors of Chicago and Milwaukee (USA), as well as the Canadian cities of Toronto and Montreal. Most of the routes are laid along Lake Huron and other Great Lakes with stops on the islands, visiting Niagara Falls, entering the ports of large coastal cities of the U.S. and Canada – Detroit, Cleveland, Quebec. Cruises last from 7 to 16 days. For example, an 11-day cruise from Chicago to Toronto costs from $5,989, a 13-day trip from Montreal to Chicago will cost $7,209.

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Beaches and activities

The best sand and gravel beaches on Lake Huron are located along the coast between the towns of Port Huron and Mackinaw City. For example, in the vicinity of the town of Cheboygan, an 8-kilometer stretch of sand stretches near the water. After swimming, beachgoers head for a walk along the trails of Aloha State Park or neighboring Gordon Turner Park, where there are playgrounds for children, restaurants, golf courses of the local Cheboygan Golf and Country Club. Canoe rentals and fishing trips are available at the mouth of the Cheboygan River.

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Makino Island has rocky beaches in coves among the cliffs. The only sandy stretch of shore is near the resort village of Mission Point. However, tourists go to Makino not for swimming, but to immerse themselves in the charming Victorian atmosphere preserved on the island. There are many cozy restaurants and cafes open late into the night.

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On the wild gravel beaches of Lake Huron, tourists not only sunbathe and swim, but also enthusiastically seek out the patterned stone formations known as Petoskey stones, named after the small Canadian town in Little Traverse Bay where they were first found. These small spherical cobbles, polished by ancient glaciers and storm waves, have been mass collectors’ items since the 18th century. The stones intricately combine sparkling quartz and white chalcedony, green jasper, red agate and other colored minerals. The texture of the stones is especially bright after grinding.

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There are also fossil corals that lived here in the Devonian era, when 350 million years ago a warm ocean was splashing in the place of the Great Lakes. A welcome find are pieces of fossilized sea lily stalks that look like a tiny donut or ring. Since ancient times, indigenous people of the Great Lakes shores have used such artifacts to create necklaces, believing the jewelry to be magical, which is why they are also known as “Native American beads.”

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A lively diving center on Lake Huron is the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve near Sanilac Port. At the bottom of the 420 km² water area lies 17 shipwrecks, wrecked from the mid-19th century to the 1920s. Among them are several ships that sank on November 9, 1913, when the most powerful hurricane in the history of observations raged over Lake Huron. The most famous victim of this storm was the 75-meter Canadian steamship Regina, carrying about 2,000 tons of various goods intended for the stores of coastal towns. Divers discovered the Regina using sonar only in 1986. The overturned ship lies 6 kilometers offshore between Lexington and Sanilac at a depth of 24 meters.

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Divers brought tens of thousands of items to the surface, including festive sets of silver forks and spoons, sealed bottles of amber Scotch whisky and French champagne, quite fit for a feast. These artifacts are housed in the Port Sanilac Museum, as well as the Great Lakes Museum in Detroit and in private collections of collectors. Some of the finds are still being sold at auctions today. The cost of lots – from 250 $.

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Where to stay

Michigan’s Huron County and the coastal regions of the Canadian province of Ontario are home to hundreds of hotels and campgrounds. There is a place to stay for travelers who prefer comfort, there is a shelter for unassuming tourists who came in their own car with a tent, spinning rods and a folding kayak in the trailer. The parks offer rustic cabins and campgrounds with stylized Indian teepees.

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In the town of Goderich (Ontario), the Samuels Boutique Hotel, located in a historic building erected in 1860, is famous for its homeliness, comfort and impeccable service. Each of the 14 spacious rooms has a fireplace, kitchenette, and private veranda. There is a beach nearby, and it takes no more than 10 minutes to walk to the city center. Accommodation here costs 142-224 $ per day. Luxury hotels include Comfort Inn & Suites ($137-166), Ashwood Inn (from $152).

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You can have a good rest at the new beach hotel Dream Inn (140-184 $), built in 2014 on the territory of the park 5 km south of Goderich. It offers sports fields, an indoor pool, a sauna, and a fitness center. The lakeside has its own pier where boats are rented.

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Auto tourists are welcomed by motels with free parking and electric car chargers. Examples include the Cedar Lodge Motel ($91-$104), Harmony Inn (from $74).

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Shopping

In the coastal town of Port Austin, the Midwest’s famous Midwest Farmers Market opens on Saturdays, offering fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, honey, smoked meats, homemade baked goods, and other produce. It often features live country-style music, artisan crafts, paintings, and antiques for sale.

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On Manitoulin Island in the Wiikwemkung Indian Reservation, a souvenir and gift store is open for tourists, where all goods are handmade by the indigenous inhabitants of the island. There are original jewelry made of beads, leather and feathers (from $15), leather bags with fringe ($36), skillfully woven from willow branches “Dream Catchers” and amulets with “magic” stones ($30-40), figurative carvings on elk horn (from $1100), interesting paintings by local artists (from $1800). There are also factory-made products decorated with Indian reservation prints – sweaters, T-shirts, lighters.

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How to get there

The closest major international airport to Lake Huron is in Detroit, 114 kilometers from the city of Port Huron. Detroit Airport serves 160 destinations, including several European destinations. You can fly here from Paris, London, Frankfurt, Munich, and Rome. Many lakeside towns such as Goderich, Exeter, and Wingham have regional airports that receive flights from cities in the United States and Canada, as well as private planes and air cabs.

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