GK Quiz on Lakes of US: Can You Navigate These US Waters?

Calling all geography enthusiasts and trivia buffs! Are you ready to test your knowledge of the incredible lakes that occupy the United States landscape? This GK quiz will take you on a journey across the country, exploring diverse bodies of water, from the mighty Great Lakes to hidden gems tucked away in national parks. So, grab your thinking cap and prepare to be challenged!

READ| What are the Great Lakes?

1. Which of the Great Lakes borders only one US state?

a) Superior   

b) Michigan   

c) Huron   

d) Erie

Answer: b) 

Explanation: According to Pure Michigan, “Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within U.S. territory. The Great Lakes touch 8 states – but Michigan is the only state that touches four lakes, with borders on Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie.”

2. Nicknamed "The Finger Lakes," this chain of 11 long, narrow lakes is located in which state?

a) New York

b) Vermont

c) Maine

d) Massachusetts

Answer: a) 

Explanation: The chain of 11 long, narrow lakes nicknamed "The Finger Lakes" is located in the state of New York.

3. What is the source of the Missouri River? 

a) Montana

b) Wyoming

c) Colorado

d) North Dakota

Answer: a) 

Explanation: The Missouri River officially starts at the confluence of the Jefferson and Madison rivers in Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, Montana. 

4. Out of all the states in the US, which one has the nickname "Great Lake State"?

(a) Minnesota

(b) Ohio

(c) Michigan

(d) Wisconsin

Answer: c) 

Explanation: The state nicknamed the "Great Lake State" is Michigan. This nickname comes from the fact that Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes. The US Department of State mentions: “Michigan is the only state in the United States that borders four of the five Great Lakes.”

5. Which lake is the source of the mighty Mississippi River?

a) Lake Itasca

b) Lake Winnebago

c) Lake Pontchartrain

d) Great Salt Lake

Answer: a) 

Explanation: The source of the mighty Mississippi River is Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota. While it might not seem like much compared to the vast Mississippi, this small, shallow lake marks the beginning of the river's journey.

6. Famed for its geothermal features and geysers, what Wyoming lake sits atop a supervolcano?

a) Yellowstone Lake   

b) Grand Teton National Park   

c) Jackson Lake   

d) Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Answer: a) 

Explanation: The famed Wyoming lake sitting atop a supervolcano is Yellowstone Lake. It is the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in elevation in North America and occupies a significant portion of the caldera of the Yellowstone supervolcano

7. What is the deepest lake in the US?

a) Lake Michigan

b) Lake Tahoe

c) Yellowstone Lake

d) Crater Lake 

Answer: d)

Explanation: The deepest lake in the US is Crater Lake in Oregon. It boasts a maximum depth of 1,949 feet (592 metres), making it the deepest in the country.

10. The Great Salt Lake is known for its:

a) Abundance of fish

b) Extremely high salinity

c) Sandy beaches

d) Lush vegetation

Answer: b)

Explanation: With a salinity level often exceeding 25%, the Great Salt Lake is much saltier than the ocean, earning it nicknames like "America's Dead Sea." This high salinity creates a buoyant effect, allowing people to easily float.

9. Which lake borders both the US and Canada?

a) Lake Superior

b) Lake Ontario

c) Lake Erie

d) All of the above

Answer: d) 

Explanation: There are several lakes that border both the US and Canada. Here are the five Great Lakes that form part of the international border:

• Superior: Most of this lake is within the US, but a small portion along the north shore belongs to Canada.
• Huron: This lake shares its shoreline with both Canada (Ontario) and the US (Michigan).
• Erie: Similar to Huron, the border runs through the middle of this lake, with portions belonging to both Ontario and the US states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
• Ontario: This easternmost Great Lake also has a shared border, with Ontario on the north and west, and New York on the south and east.

10. Which state is nicknamed "The Land of 10,000 Lakes"?

a) Minnesota

b) Florida

c) Alaska

d) California

Answer: a) 

Explanation: The state nicknamed "The Land of 10,000 Lakes" is Minnesota. While it actually boasts over 11,842 lakes larger than 10 acres, the catchy nickname stuck!

READ| Best Lakes in the US

GK Quiz on World Economy: Can You Master the Market? Take this Global Economic Challenge

GK Quiz on Country Capitals: How Well Do You Know the Countries Worldwide?

GK Quiz on World History: A Trip Through History's Trivia Twists