Scientists determine the Great Lakes are nonrenewable

North America Science Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:55:01 GMT Moderate confidence — 64/100

The Great Lakes hold about 21 percent of the planet's surface fresh water, yet less than one percent of that volume renews each year.
That second number, not the first, sets the limits on everyone who drinks from the basin.
Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario together hold about 21 percent of the fresh surface water on the planet.

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The Great Lakes hold about 21 percent of the planet's surface fresh water, yet less than one percent of that volume renews each year.
That second number, not the first, sets the limits on everyone who drinks from the basin.
Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario together hold about 21 percent of the fresh surface water on the planet.

Sources: Earth