Great Lakes West to East: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario

The five Laurentian Great Lakes in geographic order:

1. Lake Superior — Westernmost, largest (82,100 km²), deepest (406 m), coldest
2. Lake Michigan — Only entirely US; 2nd largest (58,000 km²); connected to Huron at Straits of Mackinac
3. Lake Huron — Includes Georgian Bay; 3rd largest (59,600 km²); Manitoulin Island (world's largest lake island)
4. Lake Erie — Shallowest (avg 19 m), warmest, most productive fishery; 4th largest (25,700 km²)
5. Lake Ontario — Easternmost, smallest (19,000 km²), deepest outlet (St. Lawrence); receives all upper lakes' outflow

Key Connectors

• Superior → Huron: St. Marys River (Soo Locks)
• Michigan ↔ Huron: Straits of Mackinac (hydraulically one lake)
• Huron → Erie: St. Clair River → Lake St. Clair → Detroit River
• Erie → Ontario: Niagara River (Falls + Welland Canal bypass)
• Ontario → Atlantic: St. Lawrence River / Seaway

Mnemonic

Superior Michigan Huron Erie Ontario — "Super Man Helps Every One"