Great Lakes Facts and Information
Looking for more information about the Great Lakes? Here you can find information by topic: Water, Climate Change, Pollution and Sustainability, Biodiversity and Alien Invasive Species, Nature and Wildlife, Fish and Fisheries Research, and National Parks and Marine Conservation Areas.
Within this section, you can also access:
- Quickfacts
Useful and interesting facts about the Great Lakes. - Great Lakes Publications
Documents and reports about the Great Lakes available from Environment Canada. - Data and Science
Links to scientific studies, data sets, Geographic Information Systems and other technical information about the Great Lakes ecosystem. - Maps
Maps of the Great Lakes basin produced by Environment Canada
Water
Action Plan for Clean Water
The Government of Canada's approach to ensure clean water for all Canadians, and to preserve and protect the Great Lakes and other major watersheds for future generations.
Water Use and Supply Project
The Water Use and Supply Project was initiated to support improved management of surface and groundwater resources in the Canadian sub-watersheds of the Great Lakes, Ottawa River, and upper St. Lawrence River within Ontario.
The St. Lawrence Centre
The St. Lawrence Centre is the only federal research and development centre devoted entirely to the river ecosystem. Specialists are involved in a multitude of studies and research programs aimed at better understanding how the ecosystems of the St. Lawrence River function and at keeping knowledge up to date.
Water Modelling
Information on how the use of computers and numerical modelling can be used to better understand and assess water resources in Canada, including the Great Lakes.
National Water Research Institute
Environment Canada's National Water Research Institute contributes to research and science in the Great Lakes region.
RésEau - Building Canadian Water Connections
RésEau provides easy access to water information from many jurisdictions across Canada.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office
Information about Great Lakes programs coordinated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office.
International Joint Commission
The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada.
Great Lakes Commission
A binational agency that promotes the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use and conservation of the water and related natural resources of the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River.
Wise Water Use
Information about sustaining our water supply, sustaining our water infrastructure and what you can do to conserve water at home, at work and in your community.
Climate Change
Climate Change
Information on climate change and how it may affect various regions of Canada, including the Great Lakes region.
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation
Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation Division (CCIAD) facilitates the generation and sharing of knowledge, tools and mechanisms to integrate adaptation into policy, plans and projects. CCIAD works in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including technical experts and practitioners, across all levels of government and industry.
Pollution and Sustainability
Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators
Through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators initiative, the federal government reports on environmental indicators that track three issues of key concern to Canadians: air quality, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions.
Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan
Jointly managed by Environment Canada and Health Canada, The Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan protects human health and the environment by assessing chemicals used in Canada.
Niagara River Toxics Management Plan
Reduction of toxic loadings to the Niagara River from hazardous waste sites.
Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Atlases and Digital Database
Publications that have been developed to aid agencies and companies prepare and respond to spills of oil and other hazardous materials in the Great Lakes.
Statistics by Subject : Environment
Statistics Canada information on Canada’s environment and its relationship with human activity. Includes issues related to natural resources (e.g., energy and minerals, forests, water, land), air and climate, pollution, wastes and measures to protect the environment.
Biodiversity and Alien Invasive Species
Non-native Species in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Basin
Find information here on non-native species in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Basin.
Canadian Biodiversity Information Network
The Canadian Biodiversity Information Network delivers information on the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy and to serve as Canada's national node for global information.
Invasive Alien Species in Canada
Information about Invasive Alien Species, as well as the Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada. This Strategy will minimize the risk of invasive alien species to the environment, economy, and society and protect environmental values such as biodiversity and sustainability.
The Canadian Ballast Water Program
Information about Transport Canada's Canadian Ballast Water Program, including definitions, statistics and environmental impacts.
Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network
The Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network is made up of linked organizations and individuals involved in ecological monitoring in Canada to better detect, describe, and report on ecosystem changes.
Natural Heritage Information Centre
Information on rare, threatened and endangered species and spaces in Ontario.
Nature and Wildlife
Canada Wildlife Act
Provides the authority for the establishment of refuges known as National Wildlife Areas in which migratory birds, other wildlife, and habitat could receive protection.
Environment Canada - Nature
This section contains information on the natural environment and the Environment Canada's efforts to preserve, protect and restore it.
WILDSPACETM
WILDSPACETM lets you explore Ontario's species and spaces --- particularly birds and their habitats on the web. Find extensive data here including life histories, habitat information, images, sounds and maps. WILDSPACETM also provides an analytical and mapping tool for researchers.
Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program
The Marsh Monitoring Program functions to provide long-term monitoring of marsh-dependent bird and anuran (frog and toad) species in marsh habitats throughout the Great Lakes basin.
Fish and Fisheries Research
Ontario-Great Lakes Fish Fact Sheets
A series of factsheets about significant fish species in the Great Lakes produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Bayfield Institute Great Lakes Research
A factsheet about Fisheries and Oceans Canada's freshwater fisheries research division.
Bayfield Institute Canadian Coast Guard Activities in Support of Science
A factsheet about the Canadian Coast Guard's contributions to scienceand research in the Great Lakes region.
Statistics: Recreational Fishing for the Great Lakes
Information from the Ontario portion of the national Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada conducted every five years by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in cooperation with all regional, provincial and territorial fisheries licensing agencies. This includes results for recreational fishing activities for the Canadian-side of the Great Lakes fishery.
Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
The Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is a research division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. It conducts freshwater fisheries research in support of priorities related to fish habitat, sea lamprey and the Great Lakes Action Plan.
National Parks and Marine Conservation Areas
Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area of Canada
Showcasing part of the largest freshwater lake in the world, including fish, birds, shipwrecks, geology, plants, and human history.
Pukaskwa National Park of Canada
Canadian Shield's ancient landscape on Lake Superior's North Shore.
Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada
Landscapes including the northern end of Niagara Escarpment.
Fathom Five National Marine Park of Canada
The spectacular underwater of the Niagara escarpment in Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada
Captivating islands representing Lake Huron's landscape.
Point Pelee National Park of Canada
Most southern point on Canadian mainland.
Parks Canada Discovery Centre, Hamilton Ontario
- Date Modified: