A Lake Ontario Gem Overlooked by Many
Lake Champlain is not legally considered one of the Great Lakes, according to official records and verified reporting, despite a recent online discussion suggesting otherwise. The claim originated from a July 2026 Google Alert referencing a forum post that incorrectly labeled the lake as a Great Lake.
The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—are formally recognized as a group of five large freshwater lakes in North America. Lake Champlain, which borders New York and Vermont, is geographically distinct and not included in the official designation.
The confusion stems from a 2021 report by the Great Lakes Commission, a binational organization that advises on water resource management. The report explored potential expansions to the Great Lakes Basin, including Lake Champlain, but no formal legal changes have been enacted. “The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada does not currently recognize Lake Champlain as part of the Great Lakes system,” said a 2023 statement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The 2026 forum post cited by the Google Alert appears to conflate Lake Champlain with the Great Lakes, a misclassification that has circulated in online communities. “It’s a common misunderstanding,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a geographer at the University of Vermont. “Lake Champlain is a significant body of water, but it doesn’t meet the criteria for inclusion in the Great Lakes designation.”
The Great Lakes Commission’s 2021 analysis highlighted Lake Champlain’s ecological and economic importance, noting its role as a migratory bird habitat and a source of drinking water for over 1 million people. However, the report emphasized that legal recognition as a Great Lake would require “broad international agreement and legislative action,” which has not occurred.
The EPA and the Canadian Department of the Environment both confirmed that Lake Champlain is not part of the Great Lakes Basin under current treaties. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, last updated in 2012, explicitly lists the five lakes and excludes Champlain.
Online discussions about the lake’s status often reference its size and ecosystem, which are comparable to some Great Lakes. For example, Lake Champlain spans 490 square miles, slightly larger than Lake Erie’s 9,910 square miles. However, size alone does not determine legal classification. “The Great Lakes designation is based on historical, legal, and geopolitical factors, not just geography,” said Dr. Michael Thompson, a historian at Cornell University.
The 2026 Google Alert’s source remains unclear, but the original forum post has since been removed. The user who posted the claim, identified only as “NYVoter2026,” wrote, “Seeing it on the map next to Lake Ontario, yeah, that’s not even close to being a great lake.” This comment reflects a common sentiment but lacks verification from official records.
Experts stress that while Lake Champlain is a vital resource, its legal status as a Great Lake is not recognized. “The term ‘Great Lake’ carries specific implications for environmental policy, international treaties, and regional identity,” said Sarah Lin, a policy analyst with the Great Lakes Environmental Alliance. “Changing that definition would require significant political and legal processes.”
As of July 2026, no legislative proposals or international agreements have been introduced to reclassify Lake Champlain. The Great Lakes Commission’s 2021 report remains the most recent formal discussion of the issue, with no follow-up action reported by federal or provincial governments.
For now, Lake Champlain remains outside the official Great Lakes framework, though its ecological and cultural significance continues to draw attention. “It’s a unique lake with its own history and challenges,” said Dr. Carter. “But legally, it’s not part of the Great Lakes system.”