Lake Erie

While it is the shallowest and smallest by volume of the five Great Lakes, it is actually the fourth largest by surface area. Its shallow depth makes it the most prone to sudden, violent storms and algae blooms. It holds roughly 2% of the total water in the Great Lakes system.

Lake Erie borders the US and Canada, and its shores are home to major cities like Cleveland, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. The most southerly of the Great Lakes group, it sits in a highly populated, industrial region. It also borders Detroit, Michigan, via the Detroit River.

Because it is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is the only one that frequently and almost completely freezes over during the winter. When it doesn't freeze, the cold air passing over the warm water causes massive "lake-effect" snowstorms. These storms dump massive amounts of snow on nearby cities like Buffalo.

Yes, Lake Erie connects to Lake Ontario via the Niagara River and the famous Niagara Falls. It also connects to Lake Huron via the Detroit River, making it a vital part of the Great Lakes shipping channel. The Welland Canal allows cargo ships to bypass Niagara Falls.