Great Lakes
The largest freshwater lakes on Earth; sand, gravel, and rocky outcrops with reeds, sedges, and Vallisneria along the shores.
Natural Habitat & Origin
The Great Lakes are an inland freshwater ocean, a colossal system of five interconnected seas that hold the lion’s share of the world’s surface freshwater. This is a landscape of infinite horizons and powerful currents, where the water ranges from the bone-chilling depths of Superior to the sun-warmed, sandy basins of Erie. It is a biome of immense scale, defined by its rugged coastlines of weathered limestone and endless plains of wave-tossed gravel.
Beneath the surface of these Great Waters, the world is one of light and power. Vast meadows of Vallisneria and pondweeds stretch across the sandy shallows, serving as vital nurseries for a staggering array of species. Along the rocky points, gnarled driftwood and smooth-tumbled cobbles create a dramatic, wave-swept architecture. This is an environment of constant change, shaped by the fierce storms of autumn and the thick ice of winter, reflecting the raw, untamed energy of the North American heartland.
Plants
Hardy and resilient, these species form the vital underwater forests and coastal marshes that line the vast shores of the Great Lakes.
Hardscape
Smooth-tumbled river cobbles, weathered limestone, and fine golden sands perfectly capture the wave-swept power of the inland seas.
Fish & Invertebrates
The powerful Bass and energetic Perch of the Great Lakes are masters of life in these immense, buoyant and often turbulent freshwater oceans.