Region Five is located in the upper midwest and is bordered by Canada to the north, Pennsylvania and New York to the East, the Dakots to the west and Iowa and Missouri to the south.  The Great Lakes Region consists of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The most important water bodies in this region are the five Great Lakes- Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior. Major water issues in this area include animal waste storage, disposal and dumping, fertilize/nurtrient runoff and invasive species.