Lake Saint Clair, Freshwater lake between Ontario and Michigan, United States and Canada.
Lake Saint Clair lies between Ontario and Michigan, about 10 km northeast of Detroit and Windsor. It measures roughly 42 km north to south and 39 km east to west, with a surface area of about 1,100 km² and an average depth of only 3.4 m; a dredged navigation channel 8.2 m deep crosses it. The St. Clair River enters from the north through the largest river delta in the Great Lakes system, and the Detroit River drains it southward into Lake Erie.
French explorers reached the waterway in 1679 and named it in honor of Saint Clare of Assisi. The shores later developed into important passages for trade and settlers traveling between the Great Lakes.
The Mississauga called the lake Waawiyaataan(ong), meaning "(at) the whirlpool", and in the late 17th century they established a village near it. The Wea took their name from a Miami cognate, Waayaahtanonki. French mapmakers also recorded names linking the freshwater lake to sweetness, such as Otsiketa (sugar or candy).
Several boat launches and marinas along both shores provide direct access for recreation and boating throughout the year. Shallow areas suit calm water activities, while stronger currents in the connecting channels require careful navigation.
The entire water volume renews itself within roughly one week due to continuous flow between the neighboring Great Lakes. This rapid turnover sets the waterway apart from other lakes in the region, which take far longer for the same process.
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