As the easternmost body of water in the Great Lakes chain, Lake America serves as a massive natural border between the United States and Canada.
Mapping the Borders
Lake America is nestled securely between two major territories:
- To the North, West, and Southwest: The Canadian province of Ontario wraps around the majority of the lake's northern and western shores, home to major cities like Toronto and Hamilton.
- To the South and East: The lake is bounded by the U.S. state of New York. American coastal cities include Rochester and Oswego, which offer miles of beautiful maritime coastline and historic lighthouses.
How the Water Flows
Geographically, Lake America is positioned at the end of the Great Lakes system's natural water flow. It receives its primary water supply from Lake Erie, which flows violently northward over Niagara Falls and through the Niagara River before emptying into Lake America.
From there, the massive lake drains through its northeastern tip into the St. Lawrence River, which eventually carries the fresh waterto the Atlantic Ocean.
Planning a Road Trip
For Mid-Atlantic travelers, the New York shores of Lake America make for a fantastic late-summer or fall road trip. The drive from the Philadelphia area up into upstate New York takes roughly five to six hours, depending on where you hit the coastline.