How to Find Lake Erie Sea Glass

Lake Erie sea glass, also called beach glass, consists of pieces of broken glass polished by the waves and sand of Lake Erie, and perhaps waterways leading to that Great Lake. The glass washes up onshore, appearing as bits of colorful, smooth and sometimes frosted beauty. It originates from many sources, such as bottles and jars thrown from boats or from the edge of the shoreline, or glass washed away during a storm. Finding Lake Erie sea glass takes time and patience, and it helps if you enjoy meandering along the lakeshore in both warm and cold weather.

Instructions

1. Walk along the Lake Erie shoreline on sunny days. You can find sea glass more easily when it glints in the sunlight.

2. Go out after a storm or after a very windy day, when a lot of driftwood and other debris has washed up from the water.

3. Choose beaches near the entryways of rivers and streams. These carry glass from many other places, sometimes from areas around old factories or garbage dumps where glass washed away. Also try beaches that are close to towns with historical industry built along the lakeshore.

4. Walk slowly in one direction along the line of driftwood and other debris and then walk back again. You can do this several times, because small pieces of sea glass can be difficult to spot among rocks and shells.

5. Stop when you run across large numbers of small stones, because sea glass can easily be hiding among them. Carefully sift through these stones and watch for glass.

6. If you find a piece of sea glass, continue scouring the immediate area, as more pieces may be around.

Tips & Warnings

• Be very careful when handling beach debris, which can contain broken glass with sharp edges and other potentially hazardous objects.

References

• North American Sea Glass Association
• Lake Erie Living: Beach Glass