Map Apps Are All Handling ‘Lake America’ Differently

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-01T17:06:04.927Z • Permanent link

President Donald Trump announced on July 31, 2022, that Lake Ontario would be officially renamed Lake America. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, was quick to respond to the move, stating that the renaming was part of an ongoing effort to revitalize and restore America's natural treasures. The decision was seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate about the naming of American waterways, which has been a contentious issue for decades.

Despite the move, navigation companies are still struggling to adapt to the new name. For instance, the Great Lakes Navigation Company, which operates a fleet of vessels that transport cargo across the Great Lakes, has already begun to update its maps and charts to reflect the new name. Similarly, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued new navigation charts that include the name Lake America, although some critics argue that this move could cause confusion among mariners and other stakeholders.

However, some individuals and organizations have pushed back against the decision, arguing that the name change is unnecessary and could have unintended consequences. For example, the Great Lakes Observing System, a coalition of researchers and scientists, has expressed concerns that the renaming could disrupt the region's scientific research efforts, which rely on accurate and consistent naming of waterways.

The renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America has significant implications for the navigation industry, which relies on accurate and up-to-date maps and charts to operate safely and efficiently. Companies such as the Great Lakes Navigation Company and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are already feeling the impact of the decision, and many are struggling to adapt to the new name. Furthermore, the renaming could also affect research efforts in the region, which rely on accurate and consistent naming of waterways.

Research communities and academic institutions are also likely to be affected by the renaming, as it could disrupt ongoing studies and research projects that rely on accurate and consistent naming of waterways. For instance, the University of Michigan's Great Lakes Observing System, which is a leading center for Great Lakes research, may need to update its maps and charts to reflect the new name. Similarly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may need to update its maps and charts to reflect the new name, which could have significant implications for coastal communities and industries.

The decision to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America is part of a larger pattern of changes to American waterways, which has been ongoing for decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. government began to rename several major waterways, including the Great Lakes, to reflect their cultural and historical significance. For example, Lake Michigan was renamed Lake Michigan-Chippewa, while Lake Erie was renamed Lake Erie-Wendat. Similarly, in the 1990s and 2000s, the U.S. government began to rename several major rivers, including the Mississippi River, which was renamed the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project.