Lake Michigan, the second largest of the Great Lakes of North America by volume and the third largest by surface area, is actually the only one located entirely within the United States. With its basin conjoining with that of Lake Huron to the east and having the same surface elevation, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are technically a single lake. The large size of the Lakes and the fact that they are prone to sudden and harsh storms increases the risk of water travel and has led hundreds of ships to their end.