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Overview
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake by surface area, spanning about 6,344,000 acres with an Ohio shoreline in the southern basin. The lake receives the Detroit River and upper Great Lakes system and drains through the Niagara River; international agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers support navigation, water-level information, and Great Lakes management.
Lake Erie has about 871 miles of shoreline, an average depth of about 62 feet, and a maximum depth near 210 feet. Its shallow western basin, deeper central basin, and open eastern basin create strong contrasts in wind response, ice cover, currents, and fish habitat.
The lake supports major commercial navigation, coastal communities, beaches, boating, and a nationally important walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass fishery. Ohio anglers and boaters should use Ohio Department of Natural Resources guidance along with marine forecasts.
Lake Erie does not use reservoir-style full, winter, or flood pools. Its chart datum is 569.2 feet IGLD 1985, and lake-wide surface elevations are reported in IGLD 1985; levels respond to basin supply, wind setup, seasonal conditions, and internationally coordinated outflow regulation.
Lake Erie is a 6,344,000-acre Great Lake. Its levels reflect basin water balance and connecting-channel flows.