Erie, e'ri, one of the Great Lakes of North America. Lake Erie lies next above Lake Ontario. It receives the waters of Lake Huron through the Detroit River. Its greatest length is 240 miles. Its greatest width, 50 miles. Its area is 9,900 square miles. Ordinarily its surface is 570 feet above sea level. The greatest depth of Lake Erie is 210 feet. Its average depth is 100 feet. It is the one of the Great Lakes whose bottom does not extend below the level of the sea. It discharges its waters through the Niagara River to Lake Ontario. The southern coast has a number of excellent harbors, including those at Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, Sandusky, and Toledo. Heavy storms create powerful undercurrents that render the navigation of the lake peculiarly dangerous. When a storm comes up on Lake Erie, captains of all but the largest boats aim to run for a place of shelter. Lake Erie is connected with Lake Ontario by the famous Welland ship canal, and with the Hudson River by the Erie Canal running, by way of the Mohawk Valley, from Buffalo to Albany. See SUPERIOR, etc.