Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. The shores of the National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) showcase the region’s geology, prominently displaying its volcanic origins, as well as evidence of a meteorite impact. Fossils depicting the beginnings of life on earth dating back some 2.1 billion years are found here. These primitive life form remnants are globally significant in terms of our understanding of evolutionary processes.
The lake basin was sculpted by glaciers as evidenced by striations scored into the water-worn rocks. Raised beaches are evidence of ancient shorelines above the present lake level after the retreat of a mile-thick glacier that once covered most of North America. Much of the plant life present today reflects the harsh post-glacial climate, and over 25 species more often found in arctic or alpine locations have been recorded.
More than 70 species of fish inhabit the near-pristine waters, including lake herring, walleye, yellow perch, lake whitefish, lake trout and brook trout. Ring-billed and herring gulls, cormorants, great blue herons and white pelicans feed in these waters. The island habitats are used for breeding during the late spring and early summer.
Human presence in this area dates back at least 5,000 years. Events that predate European contact are painted on rock faces and numerous rock structures called Pukaskwa pits can be found in the area. Early European explorers believed this great inland sea would provide passage west to the Orient. The fur trade that followed in their wake developed Canada’s early economy and set the stage for the modern-day shipping industry on the Great Lakes.
The power of this inland sea has proven greater than human strength and technology. There may be as many as 50 shipwrecks within the NMCA boundaries. Jacques Cousteau characterized one of them as the most beautiful wreck in the world – the 50 m luxury steam yacht, Gunilda, now lying in 75 m of water, ran aground and sank in 1911, after its millionaire owner refused to pay piloting fees into safe harbour at Rossport.
National marine conservation areas are part of the Parks Canada family of protected areas. The Government of Canada is seeking to protect representative examples of each of Canada’s 29 marine natural regions – from the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans and the Great Lakes – to represent within a national system of NMCAs. NMCAs consist of protected zones and cooperatively managed multiple use areas where activities such as commercial fishing and shipping continue. The guiding management principle is ecologically sustainable use. Dumping, mining, oil and gas exploration and extraction are prohibited throughout these NMCAs.
Visitors can hike, fish, swim, camp, kayak or simply wander along a quiet trail – there are many ways to enjoy the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. Working together with communities in the region, the NMCA will meet its potential as a world-class tourism destination attracting visitors to experience the splendours of the north shore of Lake Superior. Parks Canada investments in the region have supported the communities in the development and promotion of various tourism initiatives and infrastructure.
Parks Canada manages a network of 44 national parks, 168 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas that make up the rich tapestry of Canada’s cultural and natural heritage.
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