ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES

The Great Lakes form the world’s greatest fresh water systems. The lakes hold nearly one-fifth of the fresh water flowing on the Earth’s surface. 

Their headwaters begin in the middle of the continent and flow 3,800 kilometres to the Atlantic Ocean, via the St. Lawrence River, in a voyage that can take two centuries.

The Great Lakes ecosystem supports one of the richest and most privileged areas of the world. But, human pressures have polluted it and changed the very shape of the environment in many places.

Our challenge is to reduce pressures on that environment by changing the way we live and do business.

This section provides links to more information about the health of our Great Lakes and actions being taken to protect the environment so we can benefit.

This image of energy use around the Great Lakes shows the intensity of human development in the southern portion of the basin.