The New International Encyclopædia/Detroit River

DETROIT RIVER. A river or strait connecting lakes Saint Clair and Erie, flowing nearly west to Detroit and then south, and separating Michigan from Ontario, Canada. It is so called from the French word meaning strait. It is about twenty-two miles long; from one-half to three miles wide, of considerable depth, swift in current; and admits the largest vessels. It is the great waterway, with the Saint Clair lake and river, from Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron to Lake Erie. More tonnage of shipping is estimated to pass through this river than through any other stream in the world. There are many islands along its course, and the scenery is very beautiful. See Detroit.