The United States has several expansive lakes, each with unique characteristics. These lakes vary in size, depth, volume, and water clarity and serve essential roles in their regions’ ecosystems and economies. Some are natural wonders, while others are man-made reservoirs. Below, we explore the top 10 largest lakes in the United States as of 2024, detailing their location, surface area, volume, depth, water clarity, nearby major cities, and seasonal fluctuations in their water levels.
Top 10 Largest Lakes in the United States in 2024
Here is a list of the top 10 largest lakes in the United States as of 2024, along with their surface areas in square miles:
10. Lake Okeechobee (662 square miles)
- Location: Florida
- Surface Area: Approximately 662 square miles (1,715 square kilometers)
- Volume: 1.248 cubic miles (5.2 cubic kilometers)
- Depth: Average depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters)
- Max. depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
- Length: 35.73 mi (57.5 km)
- Water Clarity: Typically low due to shallow depth and agricultural runoff
- Major Cities: West Palm Beach (FL), Clewiston (FL)
- Water Levels: Highest in late summer and fall due to rainfall; lowest in winter and spring.
Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida and the eighth-largest freshwater lake entirely within the contiguous United States. It is also the tenth-largest lakes in the United States overall. The lake’s water levels are highest in late summer and fall due to increased rainfall from tropical storms and hurricanes. Levels typically drop in winter and spring as the region experiences a dry season. The lake’s shallow depth and surrounding agricultural activities often result in poor water clarity, with high levels of nutrients leading to algal blooms.
9. Lake Oahe (685 square miles)
- Location: Border between South Dakota and North Dakota
- Surface Area: Approximately 685 square miles (1,774 square kilometers)
- Average Depth: 60 feet (18.2 meters)
- Max. depth: Maximum depth of 205 feet (62 meters)
- Length: 231.2 mi (372 km)
- Water Clarity: Generally moderate, but can be affected by sediment
- Major Cities: Pierre (SD), Bismarck (ND)
- Water Levels: Highest in late spring and early summer due to snowmelt; lowest in winter as inflows reduce.
Lake Oahe is a man-made reservoir on the Missouri River, created by the Oahe Dam. The lake’s water levels are highest in late spring and early summer when snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains increases inflows. Levels drop during winter as inflows reduce and evaporation rates lower. As a man-made lake, Lake Oahe experiences sedimentation, which can reduce water clarity over time. It is also the ninth-largest lakes in the United States overall.
8. Iliamna Lake (1,014 square miles)
- Location: Alaska
- Surface Area: Approximately 1,014 square miles (2,626square kilometers)
- Volume: 27.59 cubic miles (113 cubic kilometers)
- Average Depth: 114 feet (44 meters)
- Max. depth: Maximum depth of 988 feet (301 meters)
- Length: 77.05 mi (124 km)
- Water Clarity: High, with clear, cold waters
- Major Cities: None; the nearest town is Iliamna (AK)
- Water Levels: Relatively stable year-round, with slight increases in summer due to snowmelt.
Iliamna Lake is the largest lake in Alaska and the third-largest in the United States by surface area. Located in a remote part of southwestern Alaska, the lake has stable water levels throughout the year, with slight increases in the summer due to snowmelt. The lake’s high water clarity and cold temperatures support a rich ecosystem, including salmon, which are crucial for the region’s wildlife and local fishing industries. It is also the eighth-largest lakes in the United States overall.
7. Lake Of The Woods (1,679 square miles)
- Location: Border between the United States and Canada (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario)
- Surface Area: Approximately 1,679 square miles (4,349 square kilometers)
- Volume: 4.65 cubic miles (19.4 cubic kilometers)
- Average depth: 27 feet (8.2 meters)
- Max. depth: Maximum depth of 210 feet (64 meters)
- Length: 67.73 mi (109 km)
- Water Clarity: Moderate to high, varies by season and location
- Major Cities: Kenora (ON, Canada), Warroad (MN)
- Water Levels: Highest in late spring and summer; lowest in winter due to reduced inflows and freezing.
Lake of the Woods is the seventh-largest lakes in the United States overall.
Lake of the Woods is a large, complex lake that spans the U.S.-Canada border. Its water levels are highest in late spring and summer when snowmelt and rainfall increase inflows. Levels drop in winter as inflows decrease and parts of the lake freeze. The lake is known for its clear waters, particularly in the northern parts, though water clarity can vary depending on seasonal factors like algal blooms.
6. Great Salt Lake (1,699 square miles)
- Location: Utah
- Surface Area: (1,699 square miles) Varies seasonally, approximately 1,500 to 2,500 square miles (4,000 to 6,500 square kilometers)
- Volume: Varies widely with water level; average around 4.5 cubic miles (19 cubic kilometers)
- Average depth: Shallow, with an average depth of 16 feet (5 meters)
- Length: 74.56 mi (120 km)
- Water Clarity: Generally low due to high salinity and suspended solids
- Major Cities: Salt Lake City (UT), Ogden (UT)
- Water Levels: Highest in spring and early summer; lowest in late summer and fall due to evaporation.
Great Salt Lake is the sixth-largest lakes in the United States overall.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, with water levels that fluctuate significantly based on seasonal precipitation and evaporation rates. The lake reaches its highest levels in spring and early summer, fed by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. Water levels decrease in late summer and fall due to high evaporation rates. Its high salinity limits aquatic life to brine shrimp and algae, and water clarity is typically low.
5. Lake Ontario (7,320 square miles)
- Location: Border between the United States and Canada (New York and Ontario, Canada)
- Surface Area: 7,320 square miles (19,000 square kilometers)
- Volume: 393 cubic miles (1,639 cubic kilometers)
- Average depth: 283 feet (86 meters)
- Max. depth: Maximum depth of 802 feet (244 meters)
- Length: 193 mi (310 km)
- Water Clarity: Generally high, though variable near urban areas
- Major Cities: Toronto (ON, Canada), Rochester (NY), Kingston (ON, Canada)
- Water Levels: Highest in late spring and summer; lowest in winter due to reduced inflow and freezing conditions.
Lake Ontario, the smallest of the Great Lakes, serves as the outlet to the Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lawrence River. It is the fifth-largest lakes in the United States overall. The lake’s water levels are highest in late spring and summer due to increased runoff and rainfall. In winter, levels drop as inflows decrease and parts of the lake freeze. Lake Ontario generally has good water clarity, though this can be affected by urban runoff near major cities like Toronto.
4. Lake Erie (9,910 square miles)
- Location: Border between the United States and Canada (Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Ontario-Canada)
- Surface Area: 9,910 square miles (25,667 square kilometers)
- Volume: 116 cubic miles (480 cubic kilometers)
- Average depth: 62 feet (18.9 meters)
- Max. depth: Maximum depth of 210 feet (64 meters)
- Length: 241.1 mi (388.01 km)
- Water Clarity: Variable, often low due to shallowness and agricultural runoff
- Major Cities: Cleveland (OH), Buffalo (NY), Toledo (OH)
- Water Levels: Highest in late spring and summer; lowest in late winter and early spring.
Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, making it more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and pollution. It is the fourth-largest lakes in the United States overall. The lake’s water levels are highest in late spring and summer when snowmelt and rainfall increase inflows. Levels decrease in late winter and early spring. Due to its shallow depth, Lake Erie warms quickly in the summer, but it also suffers from significant algal blooms, particularly in the western basin, leading to low water clarity.
3. Lake Michigan (22,406 square miles)
- Location: United States (Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana)
- Surface Area: 22,406 square miles (58031.27 square kilometers)
- Volume: 1,180 cubic miles (4,918 cubic kilometers)
- Average depth: 279 feet (85 meters)
- Max. depth: Maximum depth of 925 feet (282 meters)
- Length: 307 mi (494.069 km)
- Water Clarity: Moderate to high, with clearer waters in the northern parts
- Major Cities: Chicago (IL), Milwaukee (WI), Green Bay (WI)
- Water Levels: Highest in summer and early fall; lowest in winter due to ice cover and reduced inflow.
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the United States, bordered by four states. It is the third-largest lakes in the United States overall. The lake’s water levels peak during summer and early fall due to increased inflow from snowmelt and rainfall. Levels drop in winter as ice forms, reducing the inflows. Water clarity is better in the northern parts of the lake, where there is less industrial and agricultural runoff compared to the southern areas near major cities.
2. Lake Huron (23,000 square miles)
- Location: Border between the United States and Canada (Michigan and Ontario, Canada)
- Surface Area: 23,000 square miles (59,570 square kilometers)
- Volume: 850 cubic miles (3,540 cubic kilometers)
- Average depth: 195 feet (59 meters)
- Max. depth: 750 feet (229 meters)
- Length: 206.3 mi (332.0 km)
- Water Clarity: High, especially in northern areas like Georgian Bay
- Major Cities: Sarnia (ON, Canada), Bay City (MI), Alpena (MI)
- Water Levels: Highest in late spring and summer; lowest in winter due to freezing conditions and reduced runoff.
Lake Huron, another of the Great Lakes, is known for its large surface area and significant volume. It is the second-largest lakes in the United States overall. The lake’s water levels are highest in late spring and summer when snowmelt and rainfall are abundant. The water level typically drops in winter as the inflows decrease and parts of the lake freeze. Lake Huron is noted for its clear waters, particularly in the less industrialized northern regions.
1. Lake Superior (31,700 square miles)
- Location: Border between the United States and Canada (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada)
- Surface Area: 31,700 square miles (82,103 square kilometers)
- Volume: 2,900 cubic miles (12,100 cubic kilometers)
- Average Depth: 483 feet (147 meters)
- Max. depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
- Length: 349.8 mi (562.9 km)
- Water Clarity: Very high, with visibility up to 27 feet (8 meters)
- Major Cities: Duluth (MN), Thunder Bay (ON, Canada), Marquette (MI)
- Water Levels: Highest in late summer and early fall due to snowmelt and rainfall; lowest in winter due to reduced inflows and freezing.
Lake Superior is the largest and deepest of the Great Lakes, and the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world. Formed by glacial activity, its clear, cold waters support a diverse range of aquatic life. The lake’s water levels peak in late summer and early fall when snowmelt and rainfall increase inflows. Winter months see lower levels as inflows diminish and portions of the lake freeze.
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