List of Lake Erie Islands

Lake Erie Islands

The Lake Erie Islands are a chain of archipelagic islands in Lake Erie. They include Kelleys Island, Pelee Island, the Bass Islands, and several others. The majority of these islands are under the sovereignty of the State of Ohio in the United States. Pelee Island is the only major inhabited island that belongs to the Province of Ontario, while the smaller Middle Island is the southmost point of land in Canada.

Most of the larger islands are popular tourist attractions, served by car ferries running from the mainland and between some islands. Some small airports and numerous private marinas offer other ways for visitors to reach the islands. Combined with nearby Sandusky and Port Clinton, Ohio, the islands are part of the collective area known regionally as "Vacationland".^[1]

Geology

Depth map showing the three basins of Lake Erie. The islands are in the westernmost, shallowest basin.

Glacial grooves stemming from the Wisconsin glaciation at Kelleys Island, Ohio

The Lake Erie Islands are geologically part of the Silurian Columbus Limestone. When the Pleistocene ice sheets carved out the basin of modern-day Lake Erie, these hard rocks proved more resistant to erosion than the shales in the east, and as a result, Lake Erie's western end is much shallower than the basins in the east, so that the islands remain above water. Quarrying operations on Kelleys Island revealed glacial grooves in the bedrock, which would in time be regarded as some of the best direct evidence of the Pleistocene ice sheets available anywhere. The glacial grooves are now protected as part of Kelleys Island State Park.^{[2] [3]}

Economy

Most of the islands are supported financially via tourism. Grape growing and wineries were once the mainstay of the economy. Kelleys Island is heavily forested and woods have replaced vineyards there almost entirely. South Bass Island is more developed and still has a few vineyards. Pelee Island is the only major island where vineyards remain common. Limestone quarrying still occurs on Kellys Island, and also there are a few hobby farms.

Residents

Most of the islands are headed by a small group of year-round residents. However, eager vacationers often raise the populations dramatically during the summer months, most notable on South Bass Island, which is the most tourist-friendly of the islands despite its small size.

Lake Erie islands

Map of the Lake Erie Islands.

Alvar habitat on Kelleys Island. Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is barely visible in the distance on neighboring South Bass Island

Green Island from the air, with South Bass Island in the foreground

See also

• Battle of Lake Erie
• Islands of the Great Lakes

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lake Erie Islands.

• How many islands are there in Lake Erie?
• Explore the Lake Erie Islands: Self-guided Tours to Natural Wonders & Historic Tales (pdf) — A Guide to Nature and History along the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail.