Lake Erie Basin

80% of the lake's water flows in from the Detroit River, with only 9% coming from all of the remaining watersheds combined.

Agricultural, industrial, and residential land use are the primary nonpoint sources of pollution in the Lake Erie Basin.

Habitat and flow alteration cause siltation and sedimentation issues which can require dredging.

Fertilizer runoff from farms and residences and unplanned releases from sewage treatment plants promote eutrophication through nutrient and organic enrichment, bacterial contamination, and the appearance of ammonium hydroxide.

Industrial land use adds metals that flow into the basin and cause sediment contamination.

Lake Erie Basin
Another perspective on the Lake Erie Basin's situation within the Great Lakes Basin
The Wisconsin glaciation formed the Great Lakes basin
Detroit River
Mouth of Cattaraugus Creek where it enters Lake Erie
Mouth of Conneaut Creek where it empties into Lake Erie
The mouth of Duck Run, in Erie Bluffs State Park
Landsat photo shows Lake St. Clair, with the Detroit River connecting southward to Lake Erie and the St. Clair River connecting northward to Lake Huron
Map of Grand River