View source for Lake Huron

{{short description|One of the Great Lakes of North America}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Lake Huron
| native_name        =
| image              = Lake Huron in winter.jpg
| caption            = Lake Huron, [[Georgian Bay]], and the frozen [[North Channel (Ontario)|North Channel]] (top) seen from the [[International Space Station]] on April 20, 2018
| image_bathymetry   = Lake Huron bathymetry map.png
| caption_bathymetry = Lake Huron [[Bathymetry|bathymetric]] map.<ref name="GLBathEr" /><ref name="GLBathHur" /><ref name="GLBathMich" /><ref name="GLBathOnt" /><ref name="GLBathSup" /><ref name="GLOBE" /> The deepest point is marked with "×".<ref name="NOAA_GLERL" />
| location           = [[North America]]
| group              = [[Great Lakes]]
| coords             = {{coord|44.8|N|82.4|W|type:waterbody_scale:5000000|display=inline,title}}
| lake_type          = [[Glacial lake|Glacial]]
| inflow             = [[Straits of Mackinac]], [[St. Marys River (Michigan–Ontario)|St. Marys River]]
| outflow            = [[St. Clair River]]
| catchment          = {{convert|51,700|sqmi|km2}}<ref name="EPAphysical"/>
| basin_countries    = [[Canada]] and the [[United States]]
| length             = {{convert|206|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=EPAphysical/>
| width              = {{convert|183|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=EPAphysical/>
| area               = {{convert|23,007|sqmi|km2}}<ref name="EPAphysical"/>
| depth              = {{convert|195|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="EPAphysical"/>
| max-depth          = {{convert|750|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="EPAphysical"/>
| volume             = {{convert|844.8|cumi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=EPAphysical/>
| shore              = {{convert|1850|mi|km|abbr=on}} plus {{convert|1980|mi|km|abbr=on}} for islands<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313_3677-15959--,00.html |title = Shorelines of the Great Lakes |publisher = Michigan Department of Environmental Quality |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150405211915/https://www.michigan.gov/deq/0%2C4561%2C7-135-3313_3677-15959--%2C00.html |archive-date = April 5, 2015 }}</ref>
| elevation          = {{convert|577|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=EPAphysical/>
| residence_time     = 22 years
| islands            = [[Manitoulin Island|Manitoulin]]
| islands_category   = Islands of the Great Lakes
| sections           = [[Georgian Bay]], [[North Channel (Ontario)|North Channel]]
| cities             = [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]], [[Alpena, Michigan|Alpena]], [[Cheboygan, Michigan|Cheboygan]], [[St. Ignace, Michigan|St. Ignace]], [[Port Huron, Michigan|Port Huron]] in Michigan; [[Goderich, Ontario|Goderich]], [[Sarnia]], [[Owen Sound]] in Ontario
<!--      Map      -->| pushpin_map        = North America
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = Location of Lake Huron in North America.
| pushpin_map_caption = <!--   Below       -->
| website            = 
| reference          = <ref name=nyt>{{cite book |editor-first = John W. |editor-last = Wright |year = 2006 |title = The New York Times Almanac |url = https://archive.org/details/newyorktimes200600wrig |url-access = registration |edition = 2007 |publisher = Penguin Books |location = New York |isbn = 0-14-303820-6 |page = [https://archive.org/details/newyorktimes200600wrig/page/64 64] |via = Archive.org }}</ref>
}}
[[File:Lake-Huron.svg|thumb|upright|Map of Lake Huron and the other [[Great Lakes]] ]]

'''Lake Huron''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|jʊər|ɒ|n|,_|-|ən}} {{respell|HURE|on|,_-|ən}}) is one of the five [[Great Lakes]] of [[North America]]. It is shared on the north and east by the Canadian province of [[Ontario]] and on the south and west by the U.S. state of [[Michigan]]. The name of the lake is derived from early French explorers who named it for the indigenous people they knew as [[Wyandot people|Huron]] (Wyandot) inhabiting the region.
[[Hydrology|Hydrologically]], Lake Huron comprises the eastern portion of [[Lake Michigan–Huron]], having the same surface elevation as [[Lake Michigan]], to which it is connected by the {{Convert|5|mi|km|adj = mid|-wide}}, {{Convert|20|fathom|ft m|adj = mid|-deep}} [[Straits of Mackinac]]. Combined, Lake Michigan–Huron is the largest [[fresh water|freshwater]] lake by area in the world.<ref name=DEQ/><ref name=GLERL>{{cite web |quote = Lakes Michigan and Huron are considered to be one lake hydraulically because of their connection through the deep Straits of Mackinac." Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, part of the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].  |url = http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/glscf/hydrology.html |title = Great Lakes Sensitivity to Climatic Forcing: Hydrological Models |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100808074846/http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/glscf/hydrology.html |archive-date= August 8, 2010 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |year = 2006 }}</ref><ref name=USACE>{{cite book |quote = Lakes Michigan and Huron are considered to be one lake, as they rise and fall together due to their union at the Straits of Mackinac |publisher = United States Army Corps of Engineers |chapter = Hydrological Components |url = http://www.edisonsault.com/CustServ/USACOE%20LS%20WATER%208%2007.pdf |title = Record Low Water Levels Expected on Lake Superior |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015125647/http://www.edisonsault.com/CustServ/USACOE%20LS%20WATER%208%2007.pdf |archive-date = October 15, 2008  |date = August 2007 |page = 6 }}</ref> The [[Huronian glaciation]] was named from evidence collected from the Lake Huron region. The northern parts of the lake include the [[North Channel (Ontario)|North Channel]] and [[Georgian Bay]]. [[Saginaw Bay]] is located in the southwest corner of the lake. The main inlet is the [[St. Marys River (Michigan–Ontario)|St. Marys River]] from [[Lake Superior]], and the main outlet is through the [[St. Clair River]] toward [[Lake Erie]]. Lake Huron has a fairly large drainage basin covering parts of Michigan and Ontario. Water flows through Lake Huron faster than the other Great Lakes with a retention time of only 22 years.

==Geography==
By surface area, Lake Huron is the second-largest of the Great Lakes, with a surface area of {{convert|23007|mi2}}—of which {{convert|9103|mi2}} lies in Michigan and {{convert|13904|mi2}} lies in Ontario—making it the [[List of lakes by area|third-largest fresh water lake on Earth]] (or the fourth-largest lake, if the [[Caspian Sea]] is counted as a lake).<ref name="EPAphysical">{{cite web |url = http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/atlas/gl-fact1.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130626171058/http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/atlas/gl-fact1.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 26, 2013 |title = Great Lakes Factsheet No. 1 |access-date = March 6, 2014 |date = June 25, 2012 |publisher = U.S. Environmental Protection Agency }}</ref> By volume however, Lake Huron is only the third largest of the Great Lakes, being surpassed by [[Lake Michigan]] and [[Lake Superior]].<ref name="Annin2006">{{cite book |first = Peter |last = Annin |title = The Great Lakes Water Wars |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VzMeZHaLP_gC&pg=PA15 |year = 2006 |publisher = [[Island Press]] |isbn = 978-1-55963-087-0 |page = 15 }}</ref> When measured at the low water datum, the lake contains a volume of {{convert|850|mi3}} and a shoreline length (including islands) of {{convert|3827|mi|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="EPAphysical"/>

The surface of Lake Huron is {{convert|577|ft|m}} above [[sea level]].<ref name=EPAphysical/> The lake's average depth is 32 [[fathoms]] 3 feet ({{convert|195|ft|ft m|disp=out|0}}), while the maximum recorded (by sonar) depth is {{convert|125|fathom|ft m}}.<ref name=EPAphysical/> It has a length of {{convert|206|smi|km nmi|lk=on}} and a greatest breadth of {{convert|183|smi|km nmi}}.<ref name=EPAphysical/> A large bay that protrudes northeast from Lake Huron into Ontario, Canada, is called [[Georgian Bay]]. A notable feature of the lake is [[Manitoulin Island]], which separates the [[North Channel (Ontario)|North Channel]] and Georgian Bay from Lake Huron's main body of water. It is the world's largest [[lake island]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/wonder_manitoulin_island.html |website = CBC.ca |title = Seven Wonders of Canada-Manitoulin Island, Ontario |access-date = October 8, 2016 }}</ref> A smaller bay that protrudes southwest from Lake Huron into Michigan is called [[Saginaw Bay]].

Cities with over 10,000 people on Lake Huron include [[Sarnia]], the largest city on Lake Huron, and [[Saugeen Shores]] in Canada and [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]], [[Port Huron, Michigan|Port Huron]], and [[Alpena, Michigan|Alpena]] in the United States. Major centres on Georgian Bay include [[Owen Sound]], [[Wasaga Beach]], [[Collingwood, Ontario|Collingwood]], [[Midland, Ontario|Midland]], [[Penetanguishene]], [[Port Severn]] and [[Parry Sound]].

===Water levels===

'''Historic high water'''
The lake fluctuates from month to month with the highest lake levels in October and November. The normal high-water mark is {{convert|2.00|ft|m}} above datum (''577.5&nbsp;ft or 176.0 m''). In the summer of 1986, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their then highest level at {{convert|5.92|ft|m}} above datum.<ref name=COE-2009>{{cite book |title = Monthly bulletin of Lake Levels for The Great Lakes |date = September 2009 |publisher = U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District }}</ref> The high-water records were broken for several months in a row in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date = February 3, 2021 |title = Great Lakes Water Level Data |url = https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Information-2/Water-Level-Data/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190401200936/https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Information-2/Water-Level-Data/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = April 1, 2019 |access-date = February 9, 2021 }}</ref>

'''Historic low water'''
Lake levels tend to be the lowest in winter. The normal low-water mark is {{convert|1.00|ft|cm}} below datum (''577.5 ft or 176.0 m''). In the winter of 1964, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their then lowest level at {{convert|1.38|ft|cm}} below datum.<ref name=COE-2009/> As with the high-water records, monthly low-water records were set each month from February 1964 through January 1965. During this twelve-month period, water levels ranged from {{convert|1.38|to(-)|0.71|ft|cm}} below Chart Datum.<ref name=COE-2009/> The all-time low-water mark was eclipsed in January 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date = February 3, 2021 |title = Great Lakes Water Level Data |url = https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Information-2/Water-Level-Data/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190401200936/https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Information-2/Water-Level-Data/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = April 1, 2019 |access-date = February 9, 2021 }}</ref>

==Geology==
[[File:Lake Huron Watershed.png|thumb|Lake Huron Basin]]

Counting its 30,000 islands, Lake Huron has the largest shore line length of any of the Great Lakes.<ref name="DEQ">{{cite web |url = http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3677-15926--,00.html |title = Great Lakes Map |publisher = [[Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment]] |access-date = February 19, 2011 }}</ref> It is separated from Lake Michigan, which lies at the same level, by the {{Convert|5|mi|4=-wide|adj=mid}}, {{Convert|20|fathom|4=-deep|adj=mid}} Straits of Mackinac, making them hydrologically the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron and sometimes described as two 'lobes of the same lake').<ref name="DEQ" /> Aggregated, Lake Huron-Michigan, at {{convert|45300|sqmi|km2}}, "is technically the world's largest freshwater lake".<ref name="DEQ" /> Lake Superior, at 21 feet higher elevation, drains into the St. Marys River which then flows into Lake Huron. The water then flows south to the St. Clair River, at [[Port Huron, Michigan]], and [[Sarnia|Sarnia, Ontario]]. The [[Great Lakes Waterway]] continues thence to [[Lake Saint Clair (North America)|Lake St. Clair]]; the [[Detroit River]] and [[Detroit]], Michigan; into [[Lake Erie]] and thence – via [[Lake Ontario]] and the [[St. Lawrence River]] – to the Atlantic Ocean.

Like the other Great Lakes, it was formed by melting ice as the continental glaciers retreated toward the end of the [[Quaternary glaciation|last ice age]]. Before this, Lake Huron was a low-lying depression through which flowed the now-buried [[Laurentian River System|Laurentian]] and Huronian Rivers; the lake bed was criss-crossed by a large network of tributaries to these ancient waterways, with many of the old channels still evident on bathymetric maps.

The Alpena-Amberley Ridge is an ancient ridge beneath the surface of Lake Huron, running from [[Alpena, Michigan]], southwest to [[Point Clark]], Ontario.<ref name="Prehistoric Stone Walls Found">{{cite web |last = Weber |first = Bob |title = Prehistoric Stone Walls Found Under Lake Huron |work = CTV News |date = April 29, 2014 |url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/prehistoric-stone-walls-found-under-lake-huron/ |agency = Canadian Press |access-date = October 8, 2016 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Darlinton map of lake huron 1680.png|thumb|upright=0.9| left |1680 British map of Lake Huron]]
About 9,000 years ago, when water levels in Lake Huron were approximately {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} below today's levels, the Alpena-Amberley Ridge was exposed. That [[land bridge]] was used as a migration route for large herds of [[Reindeer|caribou]]. Since 2008, archaeologists have discovered at least 60 stone constructions along the submerged ridge that are thought to have been used as hunting blinds by [[Paleo-Indians]].<ref name="Prehistoric Stone Walls Found"/> That a trade network brought obsidian from Oregon almost ten thousand years ago to be used for toolmaking was confirmed by a 2013 underwater discovery along the ridge.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Aaron |first1 = Martin |title = At the Bottom of Lake Huron, an Ancient Mystery Materializes |url = https://www.scientificamerican.com/video/at-the-bottom-of-lake-huron-an-ancient-mystery-materializes/ |access-date = June 3, 2021 |work = Scientific American |publisher = Springer Nature America |date = June 1, 2021 }}</ref> 

On the eve of European contact, the extent of development among [[Indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands|Eastern Woodlands Native American societies]] is indicated by the archaeological evidence of a town on or near Lake Huron that contained more than one hundred large structures housing a total population of between 4,000 and 6,000.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Nash |first1 = Gary B. |title = Red, White and Black: The Peoples of Early North America |location = Los Angeles |year = 2015 |chapter = Chapter 1 |page = 8 }}</ref> The French, the first European visitors to the region, often referred to Lake Huron as La Mer Douce, "the fresh-water sea". In 1656, a map by French cartographer [[Nicolas Sanson]] refers to the lake by the name {{lang|wyn|Karegnondi}}, a [[Wyandot people|Wyandot]] word that has been translated variously, as "Freshwater Sea", "Lake of the Hurons", or simply "lake".<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=U_14tuSMUBcC&pg=PA221 |title = Huron-Wendat: The Heritage of the Circle |last = Sioui |first = Georges E. |translator-first = Jane |translator-last = Brierley |translator-link = Jane Brierley |publisher = UBC Press |isbn = 9780774807159 |year = 1999 }}</ref><ref name=fj6>{{cite news |last = Fonger |first = Ron |title = Genesee, Oakland counties adopt historic name for water group |url = https://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2007/05/genesee_oakland_counties_adopt.html |access-date = December 6, 2011 |newspaper = The Flint Journal |date = May 3, 2007 }}</ref> Generally, the lake was labeled "Lac des Hurons" (Lake of the Huron) on most early European maps.<ref name=fj6/> 

By the 1860s, many European settlements on the shores of Lake Huron were becoming [[Incorporated town|incorporated]], including Sarnia, the largest city on Lake Huron.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://utarms.library.utoronto.ca/archives/exhibits/showcase-150/online |title = Lake Huron at the time of Confederation |website = University of Toronto Archives: Showcase 150 |access-date = January 28, 2020 }}</ref> On October 26, 2010,<ref>{{cite news |last = Thorne |first = Blake |date = October 27, 2010 |title = Karegnondi Water Authority sets course for cutting ties with Detroit water |newspaper = [[Flint Journal]] |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/10/karegnondi_water_authority_set.html |access-date = December 6, 2011 }}</ref> the [[Karegnondi Water Authority]] was formed to build and manage a pipeline from the lake to [[Flint, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite news |last = Fonger |first = Ron |date = October 23, 2010 |title = Years in the making, Karegnondi Water Authority is ready to set new course for water |newspaper = Flint Journal |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/10/karegnondi_water_authority_is.html |access-date = December 6, 2011 }}</ref>

==Shipwrecks==
{{See also|List of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes|List of shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary|List of Great Lakes shipwrecks on the National Register of Historic Places}}

More than a thousand wrecks have been recorded in Lake Huron. Of these, 185 are located in Saginaw Bay, and 116 are found in the {{convert|448|mi2|km2|adj=on}} [[Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary|Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve]], which was established in 2000. Georgian Bay contains 212 sunken vessels.<ref>{{cite book |title = Shipwrecks of Lake Huron . . . The Great Sweetwater Sea |first = Jack |last = Parker |publisher = Avery Color Studios |location = Au Train, Michigan |year = 1986 |pages = 65–77 }}</ref>

Purportedly the first European vessel to sail the Great Lakes, ''[[Le Griffon]]'' also became the first ship lost on the Great Lakes. It was built in 1679 on the eastern shore of [[Lake Erie]] near [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle|Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle]] navigated across Lake Erie, up the [[Detroit River]], [[Lake St. Clair]] and the St. Clair River out into Lake Huron. Passing the Straits of Mackinac, La Salle made landfall on [[Washington Island (Wisconsin)|Washington Island]], off the tip of the [[Door Peninsula]] on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan. La Salle filled ''Le Griffon'' with pelts and in late November 1679 sent ''Le Griffon'' back to the site of modern-day Buffalo, never to be seen again. Two wrecks have been identified as ''Le Griffon'', although neither has gained final verification as the actual wreck. Blown by a fierce storm after leaving, ''Le Griffon'' ran aground before the storm. The people of Manitoulin Island say that the wreck in [[Mississagi Strait]] at the western tip of the island is that of ''Le Griffon''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HWAg1y9FkdQC&q=+La+Salle&pg=PA72 |title = Lasalle's Griffin? |last = Allen |first = Durward L. |magazine = Boys' Life |publisher = Boy Scouts of America |date = September 1959 |pages = 19, 76–77 }}</ref><ref name="themississagilighthouse.com">{{Cite web |url = http://www.themississagilighthouse.com/ships.html |title = Mississagi Lighthouse |access-date = July 1, 2013 |archive-date = July 12, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130712005812/http://www.themississagilighthouse.com/ships.html |url-status = bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.michigansotherside.com/Articles/Griffon.htm |title = The Griffon: First Ghost Ship on the Great Lakes |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090623203610/http://www.michigansotherside.com/Articles/Griffon.htm |archive-date = June 23, 2009 |work = Michigansotherside.com |access-date = July 12, 2013 }}</ref> Meanwhile, others near [[Tobermory, Ontario|Tobermory]], say that the wreck on [[Russell Island (Ontario)|Russell Island]], {{convert|150|mi|km}} farther east in Georgian Bay, is that of ''Le Griffon''.<ref name="themississagilighthouse.com"/><ref>{{harvp|Parker|1986|pp= 25–26}}.</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:P7050019 Tawas Point SP (E Tawas Mich).jpg|View of Lake Huron from East Tawas State Park at the head of Saginaw Bay
File:Harrisville Beach near State Park - Lake Huron.jpg|Harrisville Beach on Lake Huron
File:Lake Huron from Upper Peninsula.JPG|View of rocky shore of Lake Huron from east of Port Dolomite, Michigan, in the upper peninsula
</gallery>

=== Storm of 1913 ===
{{Seealso|List of storms on the Great Lakes}}
On November 9, 1913, the [[Great Lakes Storm of 1913]] in Lake Huron sank 10 ships, and more than 20 were driven ashore. The storm, which raged for 16 hours, killed 235 seamen.<ref>{{cite book |first = Dwight |last = Boyer |year = 1984 |title = True Tales of the Great Lakes |location = New York |publisher = Dodd, Mead |page = 212 |isbn = 9780396083481 }}</ref>

''Matoa—a'' propeller freighter measuring 2,311 [[Gross register tonnage|gross register tons]]—had passed between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, just after midnight. On November 9, just after six in the morning, ''Senator'' pushed upstream. Less than an hour later, ''Manola''—a propeller freighter of 2,325 [[Gross register tonnage|gross register tons]] also built in Cleveland in 1890—passed through. Captain Frederick W. Light of ''Manola'' reported that both the Canadian and the American weather stations had storm flag signals flying from their weather towers.<ref>{{harvp|Boyer|1984|p= 266}}.</ref> Following behind at 7:00&nbsp;a.m. that Sunday, ''Regina'' steamed out of Sarnia into the northwest gale. The warnings had been up for four hours.<ref>{{harvp|Boyer|1984|p=  268}}.</ref> ''Manola'' passed ''Regina'' off Port Sanilac, {{convert|22|smi|nmi km}} up the lake. Captain Light determined that if it continued to deteriorate, he would seek shelter at [[Harbor Beach, Michigan|Harbor Beach]], Michigan, another {{convert|30|smi|nmi km}} up the lake. There, he could seek shelter behind the breakwater. Before he reached Harbor Beach, the winds turned to the northeast and the lake began to rise. It was noon when he reached Harbor Beach and ran for shelter. 

The waves were so violent that ''Manola'' touched bottom entering the harbor. With help from a [[tugboat]], ''Manola'' tied up to the break wall with eight lines. It was about 3:00&nbsp;p.m. when ''Manola'' was secured and the crew prepared to drop anchor. As they worked, the cables began to snap from wind pressure against the hull. To keep from being pushed aground, they kept their bow into the wind with the engines running half to full in turns, yet the ship still drifted {{convert|800|ft}} before its movement was arrested.<ref>{{cite book |first = Frank |last = Barcus |year = 1986 |title = Freshwater Fury: Yarns and Reminiscences of the Greatest Storm in Inland Navigation |series = Great Lakes Books Series |location = Detroit |publisher = Wayne State University Press |page = 72 |isbn = 9780814318287 }}</ref> Waves breaking over the ship damaged several windows, and the crew reported seeing portions of the concrete break wall peeling off as the waves struck it.<ref>{{harvp|Boyer|1984|p= 269}}.</ref> Meanwhile, fifty miles farther up the lake, ''Matoa'' and Captain Hugh McLeod had to ride out the storm without a safe harbor.<ref>{{harvp|Boyer|1984|pp=272–273}}.</ref> ''Matoa'' was found stranded on the [[Port Austin, Michigan|Port Austin]] reef when the winds subsided.<ref>{{harvp|Parker|1986|p= 56}}.</ref> 

It was noon on Monday before the winds let up and not until 11:00 p.m. that night before Captain Light determined it to be safe to continue his journey.<ref>{{harvp|Barcus|1986|p= 73}}.</ref> Although ''Manola'' survived the storm, she was renamed ''Mapledawn'' in 1920, and on November 24, 1924, she became stranded on [[Christian Island]]<ref>{{harvp|Parker|1986 |p = 71 }}.</ref> in Georgian Bay. It was declared a total loss. Salvagers were able to recover approximately 75,000 bushels of barley.<ref>{{cite book |title = Great Lakes Vessels Index |series = Historical Collections of the Great Lakes |publisher = Bowling Green State University |location = Bowling Green, Ohio }}</ref>

==Ecology==
[[File:Lake Huron.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|Lake Huron viewed from Arch Rock at [[Mackinac Island]]]]
Lake Huron has a [[lake retention time]] of 22 years. Like all of the Great Lakes, the ecology of Lake Huron has undergone drastic changes in the last century. The lake originally supported a native deepwater fish community dominated by [[lake trout]], which fed on several species of [[Cisco (fish)|cisco]]s as well as [[Sculpin|sculpins]] and other native fishes. Several [[invasive species]], including [[sea lamprey]], [[alewife (fish)|alewife]] and [[rainbow smelt]], became abundant in the lake by the 1930s. The major native top predator, lake trout, was virtually extirpated from the lake by 1950 through a combination of [[overfishing]] and the effects of sea lamprey. Several species of ciscos were also extirpated from the lake by the 1960s; the only remaining native ciscoes are [[Coregonus hoyi|bloater]] and cisco (lake herring). Non-native [[Oncorhynchus|Pacific salmon]] have been stocked in the lake since the 1960s, but are less abundant since a profound food web change that took place in 2003. Lake trout have also been stocked for decades in an attempt to rehabilitate the species and today are largely self-sustaining, especially in the northern half of the lake.

Lake Huron contains many species of algae and seaweed, including the [[Potamogeton crispus|curly-leafed pondweed]], a tall, kelp-like seaweed with small curly leaves able to grow up to {{convert|5|m|ft}}; [[Myriophyllum spicatum|spiked water-milfoil]], a tall kelp-like seaweed with pine-like leaves, often growing in bushes, reaching heights of {{convert|2.5|m|ft}}; [[Spirogyra|water silk]], a smooth, silk-like algae that often grows on rocks; and [[Chara (alga)|muskgrass]], a seaweed with a skinny stem and flower-like leaves. It is important to note that spiked water-milfoil and curly-leafed pondweed are both invasive species that can remove resources from native algae species.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurasian water milfoil {{!}} ontario.ca |url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/eurasian-water-milfoil |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.ontario.ca |language=en}}</ref>

Lake Huron has suffered recently by the introduction of a variety of new invasive species, including [[Zebra mussel|zebra]] and [[quagga mussel]]s, the [[Bythotrephes longimanus|spiny water flea]], and [[round goby|round gobies]]. The [[demersal fish]] community of the lake was in a state of collapse by 2006,<ref>{{cite magazine |first1 = Stephen C. |last1 = Riley |first2 = Edward F. |last2 = Roseman |first3 = S. Jerrine |last3 = Nichols |first4 = Timothy P. |last4 = O'Brien |first5 = Courtney S. |last5 = Kiley |first6 = Jeffrey S. |last6 = Schaeffer |date = November 2008 |title = Deepwater demersal fish community collapse in Lake Huron |magazine = Transactions of the American Fisheries Society |volume = 137 |issue = 6 |pages = 1879–1880 |doi = 10.1577/T07-141.1 }}</ref> and a number of drastic changes have been observed in the [[zooplankton]] community of the lake.<ref>{{cite magazine |first1 = Richard P. |last1 = Barbiero |first2 = Mary |last2 = Balcer |first3 = David C. |last3 = Rockwell |first4 = Marc L. |last4 = Tuchman |date = April 2009 |title = Recent shifts in the crustacean zooplankton community of Lake Huron |magazine = Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |volume = 66 |issue = 5 |pages = 816–828 |doi = 10.1139/F09-036 }}</ref> [[Chinook salmon]] catches have also been greatly reduced in recent years, and [[lake whitefish]] have become less abundant and are in poor condition. These recent changes may be attributable to the new exotic species. Some native species, however were beneficiaries of these chances (principally a result of the almost complete disappearance of the invasive Alewife in the lake). These native species include Lake Trout and [[Walleye]]. The Walleye population in [[Saginaw Bay]] area of Lake Huron reached recovery targets in 2009.

== Cities ==
'''Michigan'''{{col-begin|width=60%}}
{{col-2}}
* [[Alpena, Michigan|Alpena]]
* [[Au Gres, Michigan|Au Gres]]
* [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]]
* [[Caseville, Michigan|Caseville]]
* [[Cheboygan, Michigan|Cheboygan]]
* [[East Tawas, Michigan|East Tawas]]
* [[Essexville, Michigan|Essexville]]{{col-2}}
* [[Harbor Beach, Michigan|Harbor Beach]]
* [[Harrisville, Michigan|Harrisville]]
* [[Lexington, Michigan|Lexington]]
* [[Mackinac Island, Michigan|Mackinac Island]]
* [[Port Huron, Michigan|Port Huron]]
* [[Rogers City, Michigan|Rogers City]]
* [[St. Ignace, Michigan|St. Ignace]]
* [[Tawas City, Michigan|Tawas City]]{{col-end}}'''Ontario'''{{col-begin|width=60%}}
{{col-2}}
* [[Collingwood, Ontario|Collingwood]]
* [[Goderich, Ontario|Goderich]]
* [[Midland, Ontario|Midland]]
* [[Owen Sound]]
* [[Parry Sound, Ontario|Parry Sound]]{{col-2}}
* [[Penetanguishene]]
* [[Point Edward, Ontario|Point Edward]]
* [[Port Elgin, Ontario|Port Elgin]]
* [[Sarnia]]
* [[Severn, Ontario|Severn]]{{col-end}}
{{gallery|File:Port Huron-Sarnia by Sentinel-2 2022-08-13.jpg|The cities of [[Sarnia|Sarnia, Ontario]] (right) and [[Port Huron, Michigan]] (left), located at the southern end of Lake Huron.|Bay City State Park beach.jpg|[[Bay City State Park]] in [[Bay City, Michigan]].|File:Aerial view of Parry Sound.jpg|View of [[Parry Sound, Ontario]]|File:2nd Ave bridge, Alpena (8740751553).jpg|[[Bascule bridge]] in [[Alpena, Michigan]]|File:GoderichBeachView.jpg|Shoreline in [[Goderich, Ontario]]|mode=packed|align=center|width=135|height=135}}

==See also==
{{portal|Lakes}}
*[[List of Michigan islands in Lake Huron]]
* [[Manitoulin Island]], Ontario
* [[Hurricane Huron]]
* [[Lighthouses in the United States#Michigan|Michigan lighthouses]]

==Notes==
<references>
<ref name="GLBathHur">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/great-lakes-bathymetry |author = National Geophysical Data Center |year = 1999 |title = Bathymetry of Lake Huron |publisher = National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |doi = 10.7289/V5G15XS5 |access-date = March 23, 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="GLBathEr">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/great-lakes-bathymetry |author = National Geophysical Data Center |year = 1999 |title = Bathymetry of Lake Erie and Lake Saint Clair |publisher = National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |doi = 10.7289/V5KS6PHK |access-date = March 23, 2015 }} (only small portion of this map)</ref>
<ref name="GLBathMich">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/great-lakes-bathymetry |author = National Geophysical Data Center |year = 1996 |title = Bathymetry of Lake Michigan |publisher = National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |doi = 10.7289/V5B85627 |access-date = March 23, 2015 }} (only small portion of this map)</ref>
<ref name="GLBathOnt">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/great-lakes-bathymetry |author = National Geophysical Data Center |year = 1999 |title = Bathymetry of Lake Ontario. |publisher = National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |doi = 10.7289/V56H4FBH |access-date = March 23, 2015 }} (only small portion of this map)</ref>
<ref name="GLBathSup">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/great-lakes-bathymetry |author = National Geophysical Data Center |year = 1999 |title = Bathymetry of Lake Superior |publisher = National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = March 23, 2015 }}<br />(the general reference to NGDC because this lake was never published, compilation of Great Lakes Bathymetry at NGDC has been suspended). (only small portion of this map)</ref>
<ref name="GLOBE">{{cite web |date = 1999 |url = https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/topo/gltiles.html |title = Global Land One-kilometer Base Elevation (GLOBE) v.1. |last1 = Hastings |first1 = D. |first2 = P.K. |last2 = Dunbar |publisher = National Geophysical Data Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |doi = 10.7289/V52R3PMS |access-date = March 16, 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="NOAA_GLERL">{{cite web |url = http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pr/ourlakes/gl_tour.html |title = About Our Great Lakes: Tour |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) |access-date = April 2, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110505021024/http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pr/ourlakes/gl_tour.html |archive-date = May 5, 2011 }} {{cite map |title = Google Earth Great Lakes Tour |url = http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pr/pr_images/tour/GreatLakesTour_Merged.kmz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105214620/http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pr/pr_images/tour/GreatLakesTour_Merged.kmz |archive-date=January 5, 2015 }}</ref>
</references>

==External links==
{{commons category|Lake Huron}}
* {{osmrelation|1205151}}
* [https://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14860.shtml NOAA chart #14860 (Lake Huron)]
* [https://archive.today/20121205023609/http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/atlas/index.html EPA's Great Lakes Atlas]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080206140109/http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/textonly/LakeHuron.html Fish Species of Lake Huron]
* [http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/ Great Lakes Coast Watch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230142/http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/ |date=May 11, 2008 }}
* [https://archive.today/20121212072105/http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/huron.html Lake Huron Binational Partnership Action Plan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050515233722/http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/EastGL.shtml Lake Huron Data]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310221710/http://www.glfc.org/glgis/support_docs/html/lake_GISs/LHGIS_index.htm Lake Huron GIS]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lake-trout-refuge-lake_huron_151628_7.pdf Michigan DNR map of Lake Huron]
* [https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/great-lakes-bathymetry Bathymetry of Lake Huron]
* [http://www.fondriest.com/news/in-the-depths-of-lake-huron-secrets-of-an-ancient-sea.htm In the Depths of Lake Huron, Secrets of an Ancient Sea]
* {{gnis|1624619}}

===Lighthouses===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080611120528/http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronGB.htm Interactive map of lighthouses, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080611120356/http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronNE.htm Interactive map of lighthouses in North and East Lake Huron]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080425092921/http://www.lighthousesrus.org/HuronW.htm Interactive map of lighthouses in North and West Lake Huron]

{{Great Lakes}}
{{Central Michigan}}
{{Northern Michigan}}
{{Upper Peninsula of Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lake Huron| ]]
[[Category:Lakes of Ontario|Huron, Lake]]
[[Category:Great Lakes Waterway|Huron]]
[[Category:Lakes of Michigan|Huron]]
[[Category:Canada–United States border]]
[[Category:International lakes of North America|Huron]]
[[Category:Great Lakes|*Huron]]