Western Basin of Lake Erie

The Western Basin of Lake Erie is the shallow flat basin that comprises the western third of the lake that borders the U.S. states of Michigan and Ohio and the Canadian province of Ontario. The shallowest section of Lake Erie is the western basin where depths average only 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m); as a result, "the slightest breeze can kick up lively waves," according to a New York Times reporter in 2004.^[1] The "waves build very quickly", according to other accounts.^[2] ^[3] As of the 2010s much of the phosphorus in the basin comes from fertilizer applied to no-till soybean and corn fields but washed into streams by heavy rains. The algal blooms result from growth of Microcystis, a toxic blue-green algae that the zebra mussels which infest the lake don't eat.^[4] ^[5]

Lighthouses in the Western Basin of Lake Erie

Colchester Reef Light (Lake Erie, West) - Built on Colchester Reef in 1885.
Detroit River Light - Built at the entrance to the Detroit River in 1885.

41°48′N 82°24′W / 41.80°N 82.4°W / 41.80; -82.4

References

^ Denny lee (September 10, 2004). "Reborn, Lake Erie Beckons Kayakers". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
^ The Windsor Star (November 24, 2008). "Author's imagination stoked by Lake Erie tales". Canada.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
^ Margaret Atwood (January 19, 2008). "On Lake Erie's demise". The Star. Retrieved January 24, 2011. Also, the western end of Lake Erie is the thunderstorm capital of Canada – the lightning displays are breathtaking, the winds can hit gale force, and, due to the lake's shallowness, the waves build very quickly.
^ Michael Wines (March 14, 2013). "Spring Rain, Then Foul Algae in Ailing Lake Erie". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
^ "Researchers track Lake Erie algae blooms". USA Today. September 13, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2011.