Lake Ontario belongs to the five Great Lakes in North America, and the other four lakes are Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.Lake Ontario is named from a Huron word which means ‘great lake.’ Its main inlet is Lake Niagara, and its outlet is Saint Lawrence River.Moses-Saunders Power Dam was built to regulate the level of water. Lake Ontario shares its northern, western, and southwestern borders with Ontario, Canada. On its southern and eastern borders, we have the great city of New York. It is surrounded by various American and Canadian cities, including Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton, and Rochester.Lake Ontario is the only lake among the Great Lakes which does not share its border with Michigan. Its length is about 193.2 mi (311 km). The surface area of Lake Ontario is about 7335.9 sq mi (19,000 sq km). It is the smallest in terms of surface area among the Great Lakes and is the world’s 13th largest lake.Various rivers and streams flow into Lake Ontario, including the Niagara River, Humber River, Trent River, and Genesee River. The easternmost shore and the Prince Edward County of Ontario have a large number of lagoons and harbors due to the Baymouth bars. Some of them are Toronto Bay, Hamilton Harbour, Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, and others. Sandbanks Provincial Parks and Sandy Island Beach State Park are situated along the beaches. Lake Ontario has many swimming-related activities, but you must be careful.After reading these interesting facts about Lake Ontario, also check out Lake Michigan facts and Lake Superior facts.Fun Facts About Lake OntarioLake Ontario is a popular location among tourists. With its exquisite beaches and fun activities, it attracts a lot of people.Here are some fun facts about lake Ontario:Lake Ontario was formed during the last Ice Age from a Wisconsin ice sheet and a rock that belonged to the Silurian age.The principal streams or rivers which flow into Lake Ontario include Salmon River, Niagara River, Little Salmon River, Don River, Trent River, Genesee River, Black River, Humber River, Cataraqui River, and Oswego River.Niagara Falls’ water also flows into this lake.Lake Ontario’s largest island is Wolfe Island which is situated in Ontario, Canada.The first person to ever swing in Lake Ontario was Marilyn Bell in 1954.The water of Lake Ontario is white instead of blue. This is due to the increase in the percentage of calcium carbonate.The American Eel is also known as the ‘quintessential Lake Ontario fish.’Lake Ontario has more than 100 beaches that are frequented by travelers.The water retention period of Lake Ontario is about six years.Various birds migrate to Lake Ontario. They include swans, loons, ducks, geese, and grebes.Lake Ontario possesses a unique phenomenon known as a seiche, where the water moves back and forth after every 11 minutes.You can do various activities in Lake Ontario. You can go for a swim, have a delicious meal in the restaurants facing the lake, go shopping in the Waterfront Artisan Market, go butterfly spotting in Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, go for a boat ride, and enjoy the beaches.Most rural people live on its American shore, while over nine million people live on the Canadian side.It shares its borders with New York, Ontario, Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton, and Rochester.Ontario lake does not freeze occasionally. The last time it froze was in 1934.Saturn has a lake with the same name as Lake Ontario. It is known as Ontario Lacus.Important Facts About Lake OntarioSome of the important facts about Lake Ontario are mentioned below:The water in Lake Ontario is about 11,000 years old.Ontario lake has a large goldfish species which is native to the region.Lake Ontario has more than 15 exotic fish species.Lake Ontario provides drinking water to more than 9 million people.Various fishes move back and forth between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Ontario.Lake Ontario has various sand dunes, wetlands, forests, and cliffs.Prince Edward County, situated in Lake Ontario, has the world’s most extensive freshwater dune system.New York, Ontario, Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton, and Rochester surround Lake Ontario.Lake Ontario consists of 21% of the world’s surface freshwater.Lake Ontario is the most polluted lake among the Great Lakes.All other Great Lakes (Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan) flow into Lake Ontario to meet the Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lawrence River. Water from Niagara Falls also flows into this lake.Lake Ontario and other Great Lakes were under British control during 1812.Geographical Facts About Lake OntarioLake Ontario plays an important role in maintaining the ecology of the shores’ regions. Because of a ready source of water and food, a wide range of animal species have made their habitat here. Some of the geographical facts about Lake Ontario are given below.Lake Ontario is the easternmost lake among the Great Lakes.Among the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario has the smallest surface area. Its surface area is 19,529 square kilometers.Lake Ontario’s American Watershed is home to more than 2 million people.Along with its islands, Lake Ontario has a shoreline of 712.1 mi (1146 km).The elevation of Lake Ontario is 246.1 ft (75 m) above the sea level.The length of Lake Ontario is 193.2 mi (311 km), and its width is 52.8 mi (85 km).The average depth of Lake Ontario is 282.2 ft (86 m), and its maximum depth is 805 ft (245.4 m).The northern shore of Lake Ontario is a part of the Canadian province.The Thousand Islands are located in Lake Ontario.The largest island in Lake Ontario is Wolfe Island.The ice covers about 10-90% of the lake during winters or extreme conditions.Salmon River, Niagara River, Little Salmon River, Don River, Trent River, Genesee River, Black River, Humber River, Cataraqui River, and Oswego River are some of the main rivers which flow into Lake Ontario.Lake Ontario Watershed has small drainage.Lake Ontario meets the Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lawrence River.In the American watershed of Lake Ontario, more than 200 million people live.Various fruits grow in the Lake Ontario region. Some of them are apples, pears, plums, cherries, and peaches.The water level of Lake Ontario might increase during some seasons. This usually happens due to an increase in water levels of other Great Lakes since they flow into Lake Ontario.Facts About Lake Ontario’s WildlifeThere are various species of fish found in Lake Ontario. Since all the other Great lakes flow into this lake before merging with the Atlantic Ocean, it has a variety of creatures and fishes.Due to increasing pollution and chemicals in the water of Lake Ontario, many fishes have become endangered. The pollutants include DDT, benzopyrene, PCB, chromium, Carbon tetrachloride, mercury, and other chemicals from household waste, factory waste, and pesticides. You can find various waste products on the lake bed.Some of the facts about the wildlife of Lake Ontario are as follows.Some of the fish species found in Lake Ontario are native salmon, pike, bass, brown trout, steelhead, walleye, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, Lake trout and various others.Due to the increase in pollutants and factory chemicals, various exotic species and fishes have become endangered.Commercial fishing is conducted regularly in the Lake.There are no sharks in Lake Ontario.Various animals live in the Lake Ontario region too. Few of them are swans, loons, geese, grebes, waterfowl, and many others.Forests along the shores of Lake Ontario are home to many species of eagles and hawks.Birds from various places migrate to Lake Ontario during the winters.Many fruit trees are also found in the Lake Ontario region. Apples, cherries, plums, pears, and peaches are grown here.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 111 Lake Ontario facts to know for planning your next trip, then why not take a look at the five great lakes or Lake Erie, Canada?
Lake Ontario belongs to the five Great Lakes in North America, and the other four lakes are Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.
