Are Michigan and Huron separate lakes – or have we been counting the Great Lakes wrong?

There may actually be four Great Lakes: “Lake” Huron and “Lake” Michigan could actually be considered “lobes” of one big lake — big enough to unseat Lake Superior as the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area.

We hear two takes: one from a scientific perspective, and one from a cultural perspective. 

GUESTS:

Eric Anderson, director of hydrologic science and engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.

Eric Hemenway, humanities program manager for the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability.

Cover image credit: 
Aaron - stock.adobe.com/302750092

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

Are Michigan and Huron separate lakes &ndash; or have we been counting the Great Lakes wrong?
There may actually be four Great Lakes: &ldquo;Lake&rdquo; Huron and &ldquo;Lake&rdquo; Michigan could actually be considered &ldquo;lobes&rdquo; of one big lake &mdash; big enough to unseat Lake Superior as the world&rsquo;s largest freshwater lake by surface area.
We hear two takes: one from a scientific perspective, and one from a cultural perspective.&nbsp;
GUESTS:
Eric Anderson, director of hydrologic science and engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.
Eric Hemenway, humanities program manager for the University of Michigan&rsquo;s School for Environment and Sustainability.
Cover image credit:&nbsp; <a href="https://stock.adobe.com/images/mackinac-bridge-golden-hour-12/302750092">Aaron - stock.adobe.com/302750092</a>
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Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund