<P> Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the Great Lakes and the smallest in surface area ( 7,340 sq mi , 18,960 km ) , although it exceeds Lake Erie in volume ( 393 cu mi , 1,639 km ) . It is the 14th largest lake in the world . When its islands are included , the lake has a shoreline that is 712 miles ( 1,146 km ) long . As the last lake in the Great Lakes ' hydrologic chain , Lake Ontario has the lowest mean surface elevation of the lakes at 243 feet ( 74 m ) above sea level ; 326 feet ( 99 m ) lower than its neighbor upstream . Its maximum length is 193 statute miles ( 311 kilometres ; 168 nautical miles ) and its maximum width is 53 statute miles ( 85 km ; 46 nmi ) . The lake 's average depth is 47 fathoms 1 foot ( 283 ft ; 86 m ) , with a maximum depth of 133 fathoms 4 feet ( 802 ft ; 244 m ) . The lake 's primary source is the Niagara River , draining Lake Erie , with the St. Lawrence River serving as the outlet . The drainage basin covers 24,720 square miles ( 64,030 km ) . As with all the Great Lakes , water levels change both within the year ( owing to seasonal changes in water input ) and among years ( owing to longer term trends in precipitation ) . These water level fluctuations are an integral part of lake ecology , and produce and maintain extensive wetlands . The lake also has an important freshwater fishery , although it has been negatively affected by factors including over-fishing , water pollution and invasive species . </P>
<P> Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the Great Lakes and the smallest in surface area ( 7,340 sq mi , 18,960 km ) , although it exceeds Lake Erie in volume ( 393 cu mi , 1,639 km ) . It is the 14th largest lake in the world . When its islands are included , the lake has a shoreline that is 712 miles ( 1,146 km ) long . As the last lake in the Great Lakes ' hydrologic chain , Lake Ontario has the lowest mean surface elevation of the lakes at 243 feet ( 74 m ) above sea level ; 326 feet ( 99 m ) lower than its neighbor upstream . Its maximum length is 193 statute miles ( 311 kilometres ; 168 nautical miles ) and its maximum width is 53 statute miles ( 85 km ; 46 nmi ) . The lake 's average depth is 47 fathoms 1 foot ( 283 ft ; 86 m ) , with a maximum depth of 133 fathoms 4 feet ( 802 ft ; 244 m ) . The lake 's primary source is the Niagara River , draining Lake Erie , with the St. Lawrence River serving as the outlet . The drainage basin covers 24,720 square miles ( 64,030 km ) . As with all the Great Lakes , water levels change both within the year ( owing to seasonal changes in water input ) and among years ( owing to longer term trends in precipitation ) . These water level fluctuations are an integral part of lake ecology , and produce and maintain extensive wetlands . The lake also has an important freshwater fishery , although it has been negatively affected by factors including over-fishing , water pollution and invasive species . </P>
what type of water is in lake ontario
what type of water is in lake ontario
freshwater
freshwater