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The lake district about a million years ago was a large plateau.
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The climate during this time period was much different than it is today, with temperatures on the continents as much as 17 c (27f) colder. Between 1million and 10,000 years ago.
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At least four times during the Pleistocene Epoch( most recent ice age), large masses of ice or glaciers advanced and retreated over North America.
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Ancient rivers and river valleys helped to shape the shores of the Great Lakes.
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As the glaciers advanced giant sheets of ice flowed across the land, leveling mountains, and carving out massive valleys
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around 14,000 years ago the glaciers began retreating and melting because of warmer temperatures.
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When the glaciers melted, the left over water called "meltwater" filled huge hole left by the glaciers. (The Great Lakes)
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As ice retreat farther, the St. Lawrence River valley revealed itself as the outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.
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After the reaveling of the St. Lawrence the lake levels start to decline eventually to their current levels
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With out the immense pressure of the glaciers, the land began to rebound. The basins of the lakes rise at a rate of 7.5 cm every 100 years.
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The first area of the lakes to be visited by Europeans was Georgian Bay, reached via the Ottawa River and Lake Nipissing by the explorer Samuel de Champlain or perhaps Étienne Brulé, one of Champlain's scouts, in 1615.
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The brigantine Le Griffon became the first sailing ship to travel the upper Great Lakes on August 7, 1679.
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In 1761 Great Britian took complete control of the Great Lakes.
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Soon after the English surrender possesion of the lakes, American Commerce started to pop-up throughout the Great Lakes
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The War of 1812 ranged along much of the Great Lakes’ coastline where American, British and Native American forces clashed for control of the heart of the continent.
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The First Lighthouse on the Great Lakes was built at Erie in 1818. By an Act passed April 2, 1811, "the occupancy and use of certain lands near Presqu'ile, not less than two or more than four acres are ceded to the United States, for the purpose of erecting a lighthouse." The "Presqu'ile" light was rebuilt in 1857.
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The Erie Canal opened in 1825 the Great Lakes and its rivers were the only practical means of moving people and freight. Barges from middle North America were able to reach the Atlantic Ocean.
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In the 1830s logging becam large in Canada and moved into the Great Lakes region. Most was done in the winter season by farmers.
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The beginning of the coal traffic on the Great Lakes dates from the completion of canals and railroads from mines to shipping ports on Lakes Ontario and Erie, prior to 1850.
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Rising 552 feet (that's 55 stories!) above the Straits of Mackinac, where lakes Michigan and Huron meet, is the world-famous Mackinac Bridge. Also known as the "Mighty Mac," this engineering marvel is 5 miles long and, anchor block to anchor block, holds the record as the longest suspension bridge in the world!
