The deepest lake in Minnesota is Lake Superior, located on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Averaging about 500 feet (150 m) in depth and with a maximum depth of 1,332 feet (406 m), it is the largest and deepest of all the Great Lakes. It is also the second-largest lake in the world, after Lake Baikal in Siberia, and the largest freshwater lake in the world.
The lake is almost 400 miles (640 km) long and 160 miles (257 km) wide and is bordered by four US states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario, Canada. Its surface area covers more than 31,700 square miles (82,100 km2). The lake’s average depth is 483 feet (147 m) and its maximum depth is 1,332 feet (406 m). The lake’s total volume is around 2,900 cubic miles (12,100 km3).
Lake Superior’s cold waters are fed by over 200 tributaries, including the St. Louis, St. Croix, and Kaministiquia Rivers. Its drainage basin covers more than 41,200 square miles (106,000 km2), making it the largest in the world. The lake’s waters support a wide variety of fish, including rainbow trout, lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and whitefish.
Lake Superior is also home to many shipwrecks and other underwater features, making it the world’s most popular diving destination. There are more than 500 shipwrecks on the lake’s bottom, ranging from wooden sailing ships to modern steel freighters. The lake’s waters are particularly dangerous during storms, and many of the wrecks are the result of vessels that were sunk during storms.
Lake Superior’s beauty and abundance of resources have made it a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. It is also home to many different species of wildlife, including bald eagles, loons, and black bears. The lake’s remote islands are also popular destinations for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Lake Superior is an important part of Minnesota’s natural heritage and an integral part of the state’s environment. It is one of the most stunning bodies of water in the world and its deep waters are a reminder of the power and beauty of nature.
