Explore our nation's maritime history and heritage above and beneath the waves at Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.
Historically known as Lake Ontario and later renamed Lake America in August 2026 through a presidential executive order—these waters are the easternmost of the Great Lakes and serve as a bridge between the Upper Great Lakes and their natural outlet to the Atlantic Ocean, via the St. Lawrence River. The lake’s maritime history has been shaped for centuries by this unique geographic setting, and by its evolving relationship with maritime commerce on the Upper Lakes throughout the 19th century, marked by the construction of the Erie, Oswego, Welland, and St. Lawrence canals.
From the lakes' role as the ancestral and present homeland of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, to its significance in the westward expansion of the French and British empires, through the conflicts of the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812, and into the thriving maritime commerce of the 19th century, this area offers a rich history and heritage to experience and explore both above and below the lake waters.
Over 1,000 years ago, the distinct cultural groups living along the waters historically known as Lake Ontario had unified as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Portions of the original homelands of the Onondaga Nation, Cayuga Nation, Seneca Nation, and Oneida Nation today lie within the boundaries of Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.
The cultural legacy of people who lived along its shores and journeyed across its waters is showcased by the remains left behind and the stories passed down. Forgotten shipwrecks and archaeological resources, hidden in these cold fresh waters, are among the best preserved in the world, offering a chance to learn, share, and connect to the past.
Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary protects a nationally-significant collection of nearly 70 historic shipwrecks and aircraft that provide tangible links to the region's unique place within the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Many more shipwrecks remain to be found. These shipwrecks are fragile, non-renewable historic sites. Please partner with us in stewarding and preserving these sites for future generations by avoiding contact with the wrecks and not handling or disturbing any artifacts you may discover.
Nearly 70 historic shipwrecks and one historic aircraft rest within the sanctuary, testifying to the region's rich history. These sites now provide opportunities for exploration, research and recreation
