Highly valued for their aesthetic, recreational, and ecological uses, lakes are large, landlocked bodies of surface water. Those in the US, and pretty much anywhere else in the world, are dynamic natural resources. Some are wide and deep enough to have waves on particularly windy days. Many mimic the flow of water and nutrients in seas, with seasonal changes in their direction of water flow and depth levels.
Covering a surface area of about 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km2), the US is rife with massive national parks, diverse wetland systems, and some of the world’s largest bodies of fresh water. Many of these are breathtaking lakes with immense cultural value, year-round appeal to tourists, and droves of commercially important species. A handful of them are incredibly deep, with bottom layers that are completely cast in darkness. Due to their depth, these natural wonders may have stratified waters through spring and fall.
Lake stratification is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature and density between the upper and bottom water layers are significantly different. It is most commonly observed in deeper lakes, where solar radiation cannot evenly warm the water column or where surface winds and currents do not influence the cool, dense waters on the lake floor. Hundreds to almost 2,000 feet deep, the lakes listed below are complex ecosystems with dramatically different surface and bottom conditions.
1) Crater Lake (Oregon)
The main attraction of Crater Lake National Park, this massive body of freshwater is known for its immaculately blue color and its unmatched water clarity. Completely landlocked, its waters don’t flow into rivers or enter the lake via tributaries. Occupying a caldera with a depth of 2,148 feet (655 m), this lake was formed thousands of years ago – when a portion of Mount Mazama inwardly collapsed. The lake does not have its own endemic fish species; those inhabiting the lake today are the descendants of stocked populations.
Located in Klamath County, Crater Lake is the ninth deepest lake in the world and the second deepest lake in the continent of North America. With a surface width of about 6 miles (10 kilometers), it contains two small islands: Wizard Island and Phantom Ship. Its protected waters and the surrounding park area are beloved by many locals and tourists for their scenic fishing grounds, hiking trails, and cross-country skiing routes.
An interesting feature of this deep lake is its sustained traces of hydrothermal activity. Concentrated on the lake floor, these suggest that the crater may still potentially erupt in the future. Due to its subalpine climate, it sees heavy snowfall levels through winter and experiences relatively dry summers.
2) Lake Tahoe (California and Nevada)
Nestled in the mountain range of Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe lies right on the border between California, which contains the majority of its shoreline, and Nevada. Formed approximately two million years ago by glacial and fault activity, this large alpine lake receives water from more than 60 tributaries in the Lake Tahoe Watershed. About a third of its cool waters flow outward and into the Truckee River, which leads to Nevada’s Pyramid Lake.
Surrounded by mixed forests of cedar, pine, conifer, and alder trees, it is associated with riparian environments and extensive wet meadows. The lake naturally contains productive colonies of algae, pondweed, coontail, and watermilfoil. Some of these are abundant enough to have thoroughly altered coastal conditions. Zones with well-balanced communities of vegetation support complex food chains.
Lake Tahoe’s energetic predators include a variety of native and introduced trout, salmon, bass, and catfish species. The introduction of many non-native species has unfortunately led to the decline of some endemic hydrophytes and fish. Those that naturally die after their spawning periods invite a diversity of carnivorous mammals and birds, such as bears, minks, and eagles to the coastline.
3) Lake Chelan (Washington)
Though Lake Chelan can easily be described as narrow, it is amazingly deep. Superficially resembling a fjord, it measures just 1.3 miles (2.1 km) across on average. An inspection of the lake’s shoreline reveals that its sides drop steeply toward its bottommost reaches. The basin occupies a valley which, at its deepest point, lies several hundred meters below sea level.
The Stehekin River and Railroad Creek, major tributaries of this lake’s watershed system, contribute about 75% of its annual water input. Snowfall and rain, coupled with a few smaller tributaries, provide the remaining portion of its natural waters. Historical glacial movements played a role in increasing the steepness of the lake’s two main basins. Lucerne, which is the upper basin, is geographically separated from the lower one by an aquatic sill.
Home to an impressive diversity of native trout, minnow, and whitefish species, this deep lake is a prime spot for sport fishing. Every year, recreational anglers flock to its waters in the hopes of setting state records and hooking feisty salmon and trout specimens. State parks, where more recreational activities await visitors, lie on either side of the lake.
4) Lake Superior (Michigan)
True to its name, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of surface area (31,700 square miles). Its volume is also incredibly massive as it contains about 10% of the planet’s surface fresh waters. The westernmost of North America’s Great Lakes, it shares its shoreline with Ontario and several US states. The only inland body of water that rivals its size is the Caspian Sea, which has predominantly brackish instead of fresh water.
Though it is not the deepest lake in all of North America, Lake Superior has a benthic floor that lies 732 feet (223 m) below sea level. In contrast, Crater Lake’s floor actually lies more than a thousand meters above sea level. With more than 200 tributaries pouring into this rich resource, its water levels may fluctuate significantly throughout a single year. Moreover, trends of decreasing ice cover have been observed and are attributed to warming surface temperatures.
When storms plague this lake’s waters, spectators may find themselves observing waves that go up to 20 – 30 feet (6 – 9 m)! These wave heights are certainly extraordinary for an inland water system. Unsurprisingly, this large water body also contains its own set of terrestrial features. Isle Royale, for example, is a natural island that has its own network of interior lakes!
5) Lake Pend Oreille (Idaho)
Found in northern Idaho, Lake Pend Oreille is a markedly deep freshwater system containing approximately 13 cubic miles (53.96 km3) of water. Its shores are traditionally home to the Kalispel people, who were known for sporting ear accessories. This lake’s name is thus associated with these natives as Pend d’Oreille is French for “ear pendant”.
Pend Oreille’s largest lakeside city is Sandpoint, the seat of Bonner County. Outside of this city, much of the shoreline continues to be dotted with federally and locally protected forests. These consist of thriving colonies of red cedar, paper birch, Douglas fir, quaking aspen, and more. Due to dense forest cover, many mammals and birds regularly visit the shore for food and hydration. Migratory waterfowl may also seasonally visit zones with dense emergent vegetation.
This lake’s ecology supports populations of many commercially important freshwater fish species. These include lake trout, bull trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and many more. Walleye and lake trout, unfortunately, are considered invasive as their presence has compromised populations of native species.
6) Lake Clark (Alaska)
Lake Clark is found just southwest of Anchorage, the most populated city in Alaska. The main attraction of the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, this lake’s waters have supported a range of wild habitats for thousands of years. It encompasses multiple types of coastlines, including riparian forests and rocky zones where bears eagerly search for and feed on sockeye salmon. Its greater area is rife with rich, natural landmarks, such as protected rivers and volcanoes.
Though the deepest part of Lake Clark has a depth of more than a thousand feet, its average depth is 870 feet (265 m). For this reason, it may be overlooked as one of the US’ deepest lakes. About 40 miles (64 km) long and 5 miles (8 km) wide, it continues to be an invaluable resource for the Alaskan landscape. Respectful visitors can bask in its sheer beauty by kayaking, rafting, and sport fishing. With a backdrop of the snowy Chigmit Mountains, the lake’s beauty is well worth the logistical challenge of a timely visit by plane.
7) Iliamna Lake (Alaska)
A lake with its very own populations of some of the world’s rarest animals, Iliamna Lake is a national treasure. This fragile ecosystem is home to the threatened Iliamna Lake seal, which is one of only 5 – 6 extant freshwater pinnipeds. It is also the nursery site for the world’s largest sockeye salmon run. Unsurprisingly, mythical lore about an Iliamna Lake monster leaves many locals and visitors on their heels as they both fear and eagerly anticipate an encounter with what could simply be a sleeper shark or a sturgeon.
Found toward the northern end of the Alaska Peninsula, Iliamna Lake is the second-largest lake in the state. It has a surface area of about a thousand square miles. It shares its name with the Iliamna River, which flows directly into the lake and into a small town with, again, the same name. This lake’s waters drain into the Kvichak River, which extends for about 50 miles (80 km) long and drains into Bristol Bay.
A legendary destination for sport fishers, Iliamna Lake is a chief angling site for record-breaking rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and Arctic grayling. The lake’s associated rivers are also vibrant sites for recreational fishing. Though caught salmon can legally be kept, all rainbow trout specimens must be released back into the lake’s waters. This increases their chances of reaching trophy sizes.
8) Tustumena Lake (Alaska)
Located in south-central Alaska, Tustumena is Alaska’s eighth-largest freshwater lake. It is a major feature of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, which contains a variety of alpine landscapes and wetland systems. Many endemic mammals and migratory birds rely on this natural park for food, shelter, and protection. Game hunting is fairly rampant around the lake’s perimeter, especially as many wild animals approach its shores and its associated tributaries for food and water.
Remarkably deep for its surface area, the Tustumena Lake receives water from several creeks and streams flowing from the Tustumena Glacier. The cool waters drain into the Kasilof River, which leads to the Cook Inlet. Despite being accessible from just a single point along this river, the lake continues to be visited by many local anglers. It contains various species of Pacific salmon, trout, whitefish, and sculpins.
9) Lake Michigan (Wisconsin and Michigan)
In terms of volume, Lake Michigan is the second-largest of North America’s great lakes. Its surface area, which amounts to an impressive 22,404 square miles (58,030 km2), makes it the third-largest freshwater body after Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Among the freshwater systems of the Great Lakes System, it is the only one that is fully located within the boundaries of the United States (i.e. its shoreline is not shared with any Canadian provinces).
Though Lake Michigan’s deepest point is 923 feet (281 meters), it has an average depth of just 279 feet (85 meters). Its shallower areas, particularly those along its shorelines and around its many islands, are known for being quite productive and diverse — it even boasts beaches with sand dunes. Due to western winds, these are concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of the lake.
The coastal waters of Lake Michigan support the ecology of dozens of state parks in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Thousands of anglers, both recreational and commercial, flock to its inland waters in search of lake whitefish, various species of black bass, lake trout, panfish, catfish, and bowfin. Many non-native fish species are regularly introduced into the lake; some of these now have self-sustaining populations.
10) Lake Ontario (New York and Ontario)
In terms of surface area, Lake Ontario is the smallest of all five Great Lakes. However, it is deeper than Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Mostly innervated by the Niagara River, its water level may significantly fluctuate throughout the year. These fluctuations have helped shape the ecology of surrounding wetlands and forests. Dotted with lagoons, sandbars, islands, and sheltered harbors, its basin supports a high diversity of endemic, migratory, and non-native animals.
Once home to Lake Iroquois, which was basically an enlarged and icy version of Lake Ontario, the existing basin is the result of extensive glacial action occurring over the course of thousands of years. The dynamic lake bed tilts toward the south, causing the southern shoreline to experience inundation up to this day. As a result, properties along some major areas are at risk of being lost to eroding shores.
Deciduous forests once bordered much of Lake Ontario. These were home to thriving canopies of maple, ash, beech, basswood, and oak trees. Unfortunately, a staggering percentage of forest cover has been replaced by agricultural land and other manmade developments. Pollutants draining into the lake have polluted much of its coastal waters, causing toxic algal blooms. Evidently, much work needs to go into the recovery and conservation of this economically important freshwater system.
