INLAND LAKES

Lakes, ponds, and wetlands store a large amount of surface water in Michigan. How many there are varies according to what reference is used, which definition of lake or pond is used, and whether or not a body of water existing year-round is taken into account. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says there are 11,037 inland lakes, but a study by the Department of Resource Development at Michigan State University registered 35,068 water bodies, 4,401 of which are artificial impoundments, and 6,516 are more than 10 acres (4 ha) in size. The highest concentration of lakes is in the interlobate moraine country of southeastern Michigan, the interlobate moraine area north of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, the northern half of the Lower Peninsula, and the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula.


The number of bodies of water was much larger in earlier times as many have been drained. During the Ice Age, the surface drainage of Michigan was greatly disrupted: Some areas were dammed up, and others were gouged out, which left depressions in which water accumulated to form a large number of lakes.
    Houghton Lake, in Roscommon County, covering an area of 31.3 sq mi or 20,032 acres is the largest inland lake in Michigan. Inland lakes are very important for the tourist and resort industry as they supply both winter and summer fishing and excellent opportunities for boating, swimming, and snowmobiling. Many of the lakes are completely built up around their edges with cottages. This amount of building creates problems related to sewage and waste removal.

Michigan's largest inland lakes

Parts of the text on this page have been modified from L.M. Sommers' book entitled, "Michigan: A Geography".

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.