Good point Jimaz...

I just checked, and the lowest point in the Continental Divide is 3,900 ft. in Colombus, New Mexico. With the Great Lakes averaging around 600 ft. above sea level [[except for Ontario), that would be a 3,400 elevation gain.... [[not counting hills and valleys along the way)... it would take a hell of a lot of energy to pump massive amounts of water 3,400 ft. up!