GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Dangerous Great Lake

Lake Michigan has the highest number of fatal drownings among the Great Lakes, with an average of 48 drownings per year.

Last Updated: June 18, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we examine the dangers and risks associated with the Great Lakes, highlighting various statistics that underscore the hazardous nature of these bodies of water. From high numbers of drownings and shipwrecks to treacherous weather conditions and unpredictable currents, each Great Lake presents its own unique set of dangers that demand respect and caution from visitors and sailors alike.

Statistic 1

"Lake Michigan has the highest number of drownings among the Great Lakes with over 300 in the last decade."

Statistic 2

"Most fatal boating accidents occur on Lake Erie."

Statistic 3

"The lake with the highest wind speed ever recorded among the Great Lakes is Lake Superior at 78.3 MPH."

Statistic 4

"Lake Superior is the most dangerous in terms of size and depths reaching over 1,332 feet."

Statistic 5

"Lake Superior has claimed over 350 shipwrecks and is known as the deadliest of the Great Lakes."

Statistic 6

"In Lake Ontario, rip currents cause the largest danger."

Statistic 7

"Lake Erie has the highest average number of waterspout sightings annually which is more than 33."

Statistic 8

"Lake Michigan has more recorded drownings than any of the other Great Lakes with over 40 in 2018."

Statistic 9

"Lake Erie is often seen as dangerous due to its shallow depths, leading to unpredictable conditions."

Statistic 10

"More ships have been lost in Lake Michigan than in any of the other Great Lakes."

Statistic 11

"Among all the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is the coldest with temperatures rarely going above 40 degrees Fahrenheit."

Statistic 12

"Lake Ontario has a record of 49 drownings (1995-2002)."

Statistic 13

"Every year, over 6,000 vessels transit through Lake Erie."

Statistic 14

"Lake Erie regularly has significant waves of 3-6 feet due to winds over 20 knots."

Statistic 15

"Lake Huron maintains its reputation as the most dangerous shipping lane in the Great Lakes."

Statistic 16

"Lake Superior is known to have the most violent storms among the Great Lakes."

Statistic 17

"In 2017, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reported 88 drowning incidents in the Great Lakes, with the highest number (40) on Lake Michigan."

Statistic 18

"On average, about 30-40 people die each year in boating related incidents on the Great Lakes, most of them on Lake Michigan."

Statistic 19

"Because it is the shallowest, Lake Erie is the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, and thus the most likely to have harmful algal blooms."

Statistic 20

"Lake Huron has claimed thousands of ships along its treacherous shores and waters, the most famous being the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald."

Lake Superior stands out as the most dangerous Great Lake, with its deadly combination of harsh weather conditions, treacherous depths, and numerous shipwrecks. Lake Michigan follows closely behind with a high number of drownings and fatal accidents. Lake Erie’s shallow depths and unpredictable conditions make it a hazardous water body for boating. Each Great Lake presents its own unique dangers, from rip currents in Lake Ontario to waterspouts in Lake Erie. Despite their beauty, it is clear that these bodies of water demand respect and caution from those who venture into their waters.