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Lake Michigan

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Lake Michigan Basin Statistics
  • Length: 307 mi / 494 km
  • Breadth: 118 mi / 190 km
  • Elevation: 577.5 ft / 176 m
  • Depth: 279 ft / 85 m average, 923 ft / 281 m maximum
  • Volume: 1,180 cubic mi / 4,918 cubic km
  • Water Surface Area: 22,300 square mi / 57,753 square km
  • Drainage Basin Area: 45,600 square mi / 118,095 square km
  • Shoreline Length: 1,640 mi / 2,639 km (including islands)
  • Outlet: Straits of Mackinac to Lake Huron
  • Retention / Replacement Time: 62 years
  • Population: ~12,052,743*

* Includes metropolitan Chicago, which is not part of the drainage basin, but uses Lake Michigan for drinking water.

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Updated: 07/16/2008
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