US Lakes Map

Explore US map showing lakes, The United States boasts a diverse array of lakes, each offering unique natural beauty and recreational opportunities. From the vast Great Lakes, which are among the largest in the world, to the scenic alpine lakes found in the Rocky Mountains, American lakes are important for both ecology and tourism. These bodies of water support various activities, including fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, making them popular destinations for both residents and visitors. Environmental efforts are crucial to preserve these natural resources for future generations, ensuring that they continue to provide habitat, water supply, and leisure activities.

About US Lakes Map

Explore the map of United States to see all the lakes in United States of America. The location and names of the lakes are clearly marked on the US map.

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Lakes in the United States

The United States is home to an extensive network of lakes, ranging from the vast Great Lakes to thousands of smaller bodies of water scattered across the country. These lakes are crucial for their ecological, economic, and recreational value.

The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total area. Together, they hold about 84% of North America's surface freshwater. Located on the U.S.-Canada border, they serve as a major hub for transportation, commerce, and recreation, impacting the lives of millions of people.

Regional Lakes

Beyond the Great Lakes, the U.S. features a variety of other significant lakes:

Salt Lake in Utah is one of the largest saltwater lakes in the Western Hemisphere.
Lake Tahoe between California and Nevada is known for its clear waters and scenic mountain surroundings.
Crater Lake in Oregon, formed by the collapse of a volcano, is the deepest lake in the U.S. and renowned for its deep blue color and water clarity.

Ecological Importance

Lakes in the United States are vital habitats for a wide range of wildlife. They support aquatic ecosystems that include fish, amphibians, and a host of plant species. Birds, particularly migratory species, rely on lakes for rest and nourishment along their routes.

Recreational Use

Lakes are popular destinations for various recreational activities. Fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking are common pursuits enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. Lakes also contribute to the local economy by attracting tourists, which benefits hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation of these natural resources is critical. Pollution, invasive species, and climate change pose significant threats to lake ecosystems. Various government and non-profit organizations are engaged in efforts to protect and preserve the health of these aquatic environments.

The lakes of the United States are more than just bodies of water; they are integral to the nation’s landscape and are deeply woven into the ecological and cultural fabric of the country. Preserving these lakes ensures that future generations can enjoy and benefit from these natural treasures.

Largest Lakes in the U.S. by Area

The United States features some of the largest and most iconic lakes in the world. These lakes not only serve as key water resources but also as popular recreational destinations that attract millions of visitors each year. Here is a look at the largest lakes in the U.S. by surface area.

Great Lakes

Lake Superior

The largest freshwater lake by surface area in the United States and the world, Lake Superior covers approximately 31,700 square miles. It borders Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. Known for its cold, clear waters, the lake plays a crucial role in North America's ecology and economy.

Lake Huron

With a surface area of about 23,000 square miles, Lake Huron is the second-largest Great Lake. It includes the vast Georgian Bay and shares its shores with Michigan and Ontario. The lake is dotted with numerous islands and is a popular spot for boating and fishing.

Lake Michigan

The only Great Lake located entirely in the United States, Lake Michigan has a surface area of approximately 22,400 square miles. It borders four states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The lake is a central hub for commerce, recreation, and wildlife.

Other Notable Lakes

Lake Erie

The fourth-largest Great Lake, Lake Erie covers about 9,910 square miles. Despite being one of the smaller Great Lakes, it is exceptionally shallow, which allows for quick warming and cooling of its waters. It borders Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Ontario.

Lake Ontario

The smallest of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario still ranks as one of the largest lakes in the U.S. by area with about 7,340 square miles. It serves as the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River and is bordered by New York and Ontario.

Conservation and Recreation

These large lakes are not only important for their size but also for their environmental significance and recreational value. They support diverse ecosystems with various fish and wildlife species. Efforts to conserve the water quality and natural habitats in these areas are vital for maintaining the lakes’ health and the enjoyment of future generations. Each lake offers unique activities like fishing, boating, swimming, and scenic tours, making them key destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.

List of Largest Lakes in the USA by Area

Rank	Name	Flows Through - U.S. States / Canadian Provinces / Mexican States	Type	Area in sq mi	Area in km2
1	Lake Superior	Michigan-Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario	natural	31,700	82,103
2	Lake Huron	Michigan-Ontario	natural	23,000	59,570
3	Lake Michigan	Illinois-Indiana-Michigan-Wisconsin	natural	22,300	57,757
4	Lake Erie	Michigan-New York-Ohio-Ontario-Pennsylvania	natural	9,910	25,667
5	Lake Ontario	New York-Ontario	natural	7,340	19,011
6	Lake of the Woods	Manitoba-Minnesota-Ontario	natural	1,679	4,349
7	Iliamna Lake	Alaska	natural	1,014	2,626
8	Great Salt Lake	Utah	natural	950	2,460
9	Lake Oahe	North Dakota-South Dakota	man-made	685	1,774
10	Lake Okeechobee	Florida	natural	662	1,715
11	Lake Pontchartrain	Louisiana	natural	631	1,634
12	Lake Sakakawea	North Dakota	man-made	520	1,347
13	Lake Champlain	New York-Vermont-Quebec	natural	490	1,269
14	Becharof Lake	Alaska	natural	453	1,173
15	Lake St. Clair	Michigan-Ontario	natural	440	1,140
16	Red Lake	Minnesota	natural	427	1,106
17	Selawik Lake	Alaska	natural	404	1,046
18	Fort Peck Lake	Montana	man-made	393	1,018
19	Salton Sea	California	man-made	347	899
20	Rainy Lake	Minnesota-Ontario	natural	345	894
21	Teshekpuk Lake	Alaska	natural	320	829
22	Devils Lake	North Dakota	natural	300	777
23	Toledo Bend Reservoir	Louisiana-Texas	man-made	284	736
24	Lake Powell	Arizona-Utah	man-made	251	650
25	Kentucky Lake	Kentucky-Tennessee	man-made	250	647
26	Lake Mead	Arizona-Nevada	man-made	247	640
27	Naknek Lake	Alaska	natural	242	627
28	Lake Winnebago	Wisconsin	natural	215	557
29	Mille Lacs Lake	Minnesota	natural	207	536
30	Flathead Lake	Montana	natural	192	497
31	Lake Tahoe	California-Nevada	natural	191	495
32	Pyramid Lake	Nevada	natural	183	474
33	Sam Rayburn Reservoir	Texas	man-made	179	464
34	Eufaula Lake	Oklahoma	man-made	169	438
*	Tulare Lake	California	natural	168	435
35	Lake Marion	South Carolina	man-made	165	427
36	Leech Lake	Minnesota	natural	161	417
37	Utah Lake	Utah	natural	151	391
38	Lake Francis Case	South Dakota	man-made	149	386
39	Lake Pend Oreille	Idaho	natural	148	383
40	Lake Texoma	Oklahoma-Texas	man-made	139	360
41	Yellowstone Lake	Wyoming	natural	136	352
42	Falcon Lake	Tamaulipas-Texas	man-made	131	339
43	Lake Livingston	Texas	man-made	130	337
44	Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake	Washington	man-made	128	332
45	Lake Clark	Alaska	natural	120	311
46	Moosehead Lake	Maine	natural	117	303
47	Lake Strom Thurmond	Georgia-South Carolina	man-made	111	287
48	Bear Lake	Idaho-Utah	natural	109	282
49	Lake Guntersville	Alabama	man-made	108	280
50	Lake St. Francis	New York-Ontario-Quebec	man-made	105	272
50	Wheeler Lake	Alabama	man-made	105	272
52	Amistad Lake	Coahuila-Texas	man-made	102	264
53	Klamath Lake	Oregon	natural	96	249
54	Tustumena Lake	Alaska	natural	94	243
54	Lake Moultrie	South Carolina	man-made	94	243
56	Lake Winnibigoshish	Minnesota	natural	91	236
56	Lake Barkley	Kentucky-Tennessee	man-made	91	236
58	Lake Sharpe	South Dakota	man-made	89	231
59	American Falls Reservoir	Idaho	man-made	88	228
60	Lake Hartwell	Georgia-South Carolina	man-made	87	225
60	Truman Reservoir	Missouri	man-made	87	225
62	Lake of the Ozarks	Missouri	man-made	86	223
63	Oneida Lake	New York	natural	80	207
64	Lake Cumberland	Kentucky	man-made	79	205
65	Kerr Lake	North Carolina-Virginia	man-made	78	202
66	Calcasieu Lake	Louisiana	natural	77	199
67	Lake Murray	South Carolina	man-made	75	194
68	Grand Lake o' the Cherokees	Oklahoma	man-made	73	189
68	Lake Koocanusa	British Columbia-Montana	man-made	73	189
70	Lake George	Florida	natural	72	186
71	Lake Winnipesaukee	New Hampshire	natural	71	184
71	Bull Shoals Lake	Arkansas-Missouri	man-made	71	184
71	Walter F. George Lake	Alabama-Georgia	man-made	71	184
74	Lake Martin	Alabama	man-made	69	179
75	Clear Lake	California	natural	68	176
75	Robert S. Kerr Lake	Oklahoma	man-made	68	176
75	Seneca Lake	New York	natural	68	176
78	Pickwick Lake	Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee	man-made	67	174
78	Table Rock Lake	Arkansas-Missouri	man-made	67	174
78	Cayuga Lake	New York	natural	67	174
81	Flaming Gorge Reservoir	Utah-Wyoming	man-made	66	171
82	Richland-Chambers Reservoir	Texas	man-made	64	166
83	Lake Vermilion	Minnesota	natural	63	163
83	Lake Ouachita	Arkansas	man-made	63	163
83	Lake Mattamuskeet	North Carolina	natural	63	163
86	Watts Bar Lake	Tennessee	man-made	61	158
86	Lake Wallula	Oregon-Washington	man-made	61	158
88	Lake Lanier	Georgia	man-made	59	153
89	Lake Tawakoni	Texas	man-made	57	148
89	Elephant Butte Lake	New Mexico	man-made	57	148
89	Chickamauga Lake	Tennessee	man-made	57	148
92	Grenada Lake	Mississippi	man-made	55	142
92	Lake Kissimmee	Florida	natural	55	142
94	Lake Dardanelle	Arkansas	man-made	54	140
95	Norris Lake	Tennessee	man-made	53	137
95	Canyon Ferry Lake	Montana	man-made	53	137
97	Lake Chelan	Washington	natural	52	135
98	Cedar Creek Lake	Texas	man-made	51	132
98	Lake Norman	North Carolina	man-made	51	132
98	Sardis Lake	Mississippi	man-made	51	132