President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14420 on Thursday, renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America in recognition of the United States’ contributions.
Trump said the U.S. is the greatest protector of the Great Lakes and that without its security and investment, the freshwater system would not be open for shipping and recreation.
The president pointed out that the nation’s Coast Guard supplies nine of the 11 ice-breaking vessels on the Great Lakes, securing commercial shipping lanes free of charge.
The statement said the U.S. has invested nearly $4 billion in protecting the Great Lakes in the last decade, “while Canada has invested far less in similar initiatives over the same period.”
It recalled how the lake served as a key route for American trade, commerce and military logistics, including the establishment of historic forts in Oswego and its role as the first port of call from the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The lake also aided shipbuilding and naval operations during the War of 1812 at Sackets Harbor and other New York posts, as well as the movement of goods, settlers and, later, industrial cargoes.
The statement added that U.S. domestic and cross-border shipping on the Great Lakes has long bolstered regional manufacturing, steel production, agriculture and energy supply chains.
Trump directed the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming of the lake and remove all references to Lake Ontario from the GNIS, consistent with applicable law.
The Board on Geographic Names will ensure all federal government references to Lake Ontario, including on department and agency maps, contracts and other documents, reflect its renaming.
On January 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14172, which empowered the President to recognise Americans’ contributions and achievements by naming great natural landmarks.