Geography 2011A/B : Ontario and the Great Lakes.docx

• School: Western University
• Department: Geography
• Course: Geography 2011A/B
• Professor: Wendy Dickinson

Document Summary

The binational agency established under the boundary waters treaty of 1909 between canada and the u. s. Responsible for regulation of flows on the st. mary"s and the st. lawrence rivers. Lake michigan flows to lake huron through the straits of mackinac. Michigan and huron standing at the same elevation. No artificial controls on the st. clair and detroit rivers that could change the flow from the michigan-huron lakes system into lake erie. Outflow of lake erie via the niagara river is uncontrolled except for some diversion through the welland canal. Stratification: layering of water in the lakes due to density changes caused by changes in temperature. The density of water increases as temperature decreases until it reaches its maximum density at about 4 celsius (39 fahrenheit) Thermal stratification, or the tendency of deep lakes to form distinct layers in the summer months.