Lake Erie is the southeastern most and fourth largest of the
five Great Lakes. With a greatest depth
of 210 feet, it is the shallowest of the lakes and the only one with a floor
above sea level. The deepest part of
the lake is generally at the East end, while the island region in the Western
part of the lake is the shallowest.
Extensive waterborne commerce is carried out between the ports
on the lake as well as to and from the other lakes. The bulk of commerce on the lake radiates from the mouth of the Detroit
River to the various ports on the lake, to the Niagara River, and to
Welland Canal. Most of the vessel
traffic proceeds from the Detroit River through the
Northern part of the island region and Pelee Passage. This is the most important channel of the lake. Vessels plying between Lake Erie and Lake
Ontario are restricted in size by the locks in the Welland Canal; the maximum
vessel dimensions are 730 feet overall length, 76 feet extreme breadth, and 26
feet draft.
The Great Lakes Towing Company provides tug service to twelve
ports on Lake Erie, from four Home Ports; Buffalo, Ashtabula, Cleveland, and Toledo, where the company
tugs are stationed.