Detroit River, International waterway between Michigan and Ontario, North America.
The Detroit River is a waterway between Michigan and Ontario in North America that stretches 51 kilometers and links Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. Its northern sections reach depths of 16 meters (53 feet), and 31 islands lie scattered along its course.
During Prohibition between 1920 and 1933, the waterway became the main route for alcohol smuggling between Canada and the United States. Later it received both American Heritage River and Canadian Heritage River designations, recognizing its role for both countries.
The waterway separates the metro areas of Detroit and Windsor and creates close links between American and Canadian communities through bridges and tunnels. Parks line both shores where people walk, jog or simply watch the water while pleasure boats and cargo ships share the surface.
Multiple boat launches, marinas and fishing spots line the shores where visitors can fish all year round. Most access points lie in city parks or along public promenades where people can walk or cycle.
Sandhill cranes sometimes rest on the islands during migration, and bald eagles are returning after decades of absence. In winter, sections freeze over, but icebreakers keep shipping channels open for freighters hauling iron ore and grain.
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