Lake Tonawanda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Tonawanda |
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Outline of Glacial Lake Tonawanda.
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 Lake Tonawanda
Location in New York
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| Location | North America |
| Group | Great Lakes |
| Coordinates | 43°04′55″N 78°44′56″W / 43.0819°N 78.7488°W |
| Lake type | former lake |
| Etymology | Tonawanda, which means "swift waters," was the name given to the area by Neuter and Erie Indians, the area's original inhabitants, and it probably refers to the Niagara River current. Early Visitors. |
| Primary inflows | Early Lake Erie |
| Primary outflows | Lake Iroquois |
| Basin countries | United States |
| First flooded | 10,000 years before present |
| Max. length | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Max. width | 15 mi (24 km) |
| Surface elevation | 476 ft (145 m) |
Imagine a giant lake that covered parts of Western New York thousands of years ago! Lake Tonawanda was a huge, ancient lake that existed about 10,000 years ago. This was right at the end of the last ice age, when giant glaciers were melting.
This prehistoric lake was located in the United States, specifically in Western New York. It was a temporary lake, formed by the melting ice and higher water levels of other large lakes nearby.
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What Was Lake Tonawanda?
Lake Tonawanda was a large body of water that formed during a time when the Earth was much colder. As the massive ice sheets from the last ice age began to melt, they released huge amounts of water. This meltwater filled up low areas, creating new lakes.
This ancient lake was fed by the higher waters of an early version of Lake Erie. It sat on the southern, higher side of a big cliff called the Niagara Escarpment.
Where Was Lake Tonawanda Located?
Lake Tonawanda stretched out east of where the Niagara River flows today. To its south was Early Lake Erie, which was larger than today's Lake Erie. To its north was Glacial Lake Iroquois, which was the ancestor of our modern Lake Ontario.
The lake was quite big, about 42 miles (68 km) long and 15 miles (24 km) wide. It was an important part of the landscape during the time the glaciers were retreating.
How Did Lake Tonawanda Form?
During the ice age, the water levels of the Great Lakes were much higher than they are now. This is because the melting glaciers added a lot of water to the system. Lake Tonawanda was created and kept full by these high waters from Early Lake Erie.
The water from Lake Tonawanda then flowed north. It drained into Glacial Lake Iroquois (the early Lake Ontario) through a series of waterfalls. One of these waterfalls was located near what is now Lockport (city), New York.
The End of Lake Tonawanda
Lake Tonawanda didn't last forever. As the climate continued to warm, the glaciers melted even more. This caused the land to slowly "rebound" or lift up, like a sponge after something heavy is removed.
How the Lake Disappeared
As the land lifted and the water levels in Lake Erie dropped, the main source of water for Lake Tonawanda disappeared. The water from Lake Erie eventually found a new path to drain. It began to flow entirely over the Niagara Escarpment through what we now know as Niagara Falls.
This new path for Lake Erie's water meant that Lake Tonawanda no longer had a steady supply of water. Over time, the lake dried up, leaving behind its former lakebed.
What Remains Today?
Even though Lake Tonawanda is gone, you can still see hints of its past. Along the Niagara Escarpment, you can find the remains of the ancient waterfalls that once drained the lake. These old falls were once as grand as Niagara Falls!
The land where Lake Tonawanda used to be is now home to towns and cities. Sometimes, people living in these areas, like Amherst, New York, might notice that the ground where their homes are built can settle or shift a bit. This is because the soil in the old lakebed is different from other types of ground.
Images for kids
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Outline of Glacial Lake Tonawanda.
