Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great Lakes of North America. Situated between the Canadian province of Ontario and the American state of New York, it is the most eastern of the Great Lakes. Lake Ontario has a surface area of 19,009 km2. It is approximately 311 km long from East to West, and 85 km wide from North to South. Lake Ontario has a volume of 1,639 km3, and an average depth of 86 meters. The name ‘Ontario’ most likely originated from the Iroquois, and means sparkling water. This lake’s beauty and significance can be better appreciated by studying the physical geography of the lake, the way people use the lake, and my personal experience of the lake.
As its name suggests, Lake Ontario is known as the lake of shining waters. On clear days, the lake’s blue-green hue is beautiful to behold. Although the Genesee, Oswego, and Black rivers from the south and the Trent River from the north supply water to Lake Ontario, most of its water comes from the other great lakes through the Niagara River. The current, which travels about 8 miles per day, flows east to the St. Lawrence River, and then ends up in the Atlantic
…show more content…
Lake Ontario marks trips to visit my grandmother. I always enjoy crossing the Burlington Bridge and seeing the city of Toronto as a hazy outline in the distance across the lake. It is so special to have such a beautiful geographical feature so close to home. I have many memories of Sunday drives along the lake and walks at the Newcastle Marina. Lake Ontario can be so different from one season to the next. I have seen gently rippling aqua waves on a calm, sunny day; but I have also seen impressive waves crashing against the rocks at shore on a windy day. An especially unique sight was the Newcastle lighthouse wrapped in a frozen wave of ice after a winter storm. When I see Lake Ontario, I marvel at the might of our