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Learn About our Great Lakes

Michigan Green Schools - Become a Green School and Protect
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Learn About our Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are known for their beauty and the wealth of resources within and around them. The combined lakes contain the largest supply of fresh water on earth; 20% or one fifth of the Earth's total fresh water, with more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, the Great Lakes not only form Michigan's geography, but also shape our economy, society, and environment. EGLE protects, preserves, and restores the Great Lakes through regulatory oversight with programs that range from the permitting of shore protection structures and dredging projects to the issuance of Great Lakes Bottomland Conveyances.

The Great Lakes basin is a 295,200-square-mile area within which all surface area drains into the Great Lakes.  It includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec. All together, the Great Lakes contain the 9,402 miles of shoreline and 94,710 total square miles of surface area.  

To remember the Great Lakes names, remember the word "HOMES"

H = Huron
O = Ontario
M = Michigan
E = Erie
S = Superior

Public beach at Saugatuck
Great Lakes Coordination - Lake Michigan - Sleeping Bear Dunes Scenic

Dunes

Most Great Lakes dunes were formed about 4000-6000 years ago, during very high water. They are found along all of the Great Lakes and are the largest freshwater dune ecosystem in the world.
See how we protect our freshwater dunes
Thunder Bay Shipwreck Image
Docks along a lakeshore, collapsing from high water erosion

Water Levels

Water levels on the Great Lakes are cyclical with periods of low and high water, with each period lasting for several years depending on the amount of precipitation, runoff, and evaporation that occurs.

Great Lakes shorelines include bluffs, floodplains, coastal wetlands, sand dunes, and development, and the type of shoreline determines how high water levels will impact property.

Get more info about water levels

Frequently Asked Questions

  • With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline in Michigan, the Great Lakes waves shape our sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. The shallow bays and coastal wetlands provide habitat for wildlife and fish. Sand dunes tower over the shores. The shorelines are a recreational destination for property owners and tourists, and shoreline communities enjoy the economic base provided by their local Great Lake.

    Beach walking is a popular pastime for residents and visitors. Walking is a legal activity along the Great Lakes shoreline regardless of who owns the property, but walkers cannot linger on another person's shoreline property without their permission.

    Lingering includes sunbathing, camping, building fire pits, and other similar activities. 

  • Some activities, like building a new garage, require a permit only if you live in a Critical Dune Area, while some activities, like building an addition to your home, require a permit regardless of which area you live in. High-Risk Erosion Areas have less activities requiring a permit than Critical Dune Areas.

    We offer information to help identify if a permit is needed including:

  • Our Coastal Management Program provides technical assistance and strategic grant funding to assist in coastal communities’ ability to understand risks and options to mitigate coastal hazards; create healthy habitats that provide for human use and enjoyment; support coastal eco-tourism opportunities while ensuring for safe public access; and support resilient and sustainable coastal economies.

    Shoreland Protection and Management or Part 323 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 Public Act 451, as amended is the key state statute providing consumer protection from the natural hazards of coastal erosion and flooding  as well as environmental protection of our fragile coastal areas.  It is closely integrated with Part 325 the Great Lakes Submerged Lands, and Part 353 Sand Dunes Management.
A map of the Great Lakes. Lake Huron is highlighted bright blue, while the other 4 lakes are a pale blue.
A map of the Great Lakes. Lake Ontario is highlighted bright blue, while the other 4 lakes are a pale blue.
A map of the Great Lakes. Lake Michigan is highlighted bright blue, while the other 4 lakes are a pale blue.
A map of the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is highlighted bright blue, while the other 4 lakes are a pale blue.
A map of the Great Lakes. Lake Superior is bright blue, and the 4 other lakes are pale blue.