23 Lake Okeechobee Facts: An Inland Sea To Visit!

Lake Okeechobee, also known as the inland sea of Florida, is also Florida's largest freshwater lake.

Okeechobee Lake is a freshwater lake having a surface area of 730 sq mi (1,891 sq km). This vast surface area makes this lake the second-largest freshwater lake located in the southeastern United States.

Okeechobee Lake has an average depth of about 9 ft (2.7 m). The primary source of Florida's inland sea Okeechobee is the Kissimmee River, located in the Northern part of the lake.

It was earlier only surrounded by the West Palm Beach county, but it later grew to have five counties that border this lake, namely Okeechobee, Hendry, Glades, Martin, and Palm Beach. Lake Okeechobee comprises a few small islands named Eagle Bay, Grass, Horse, Hog, Kreamer, Observation, Ritta, and Torry.

Whirlwinds In Lake Okeechobee

Hurricanes caused floods in Lake Okeechobee that killed hundreds of people. After two deadly hurricanes, the administrative bodies of Florida states created the Okeechobee Flood Control District to try to control the catastrophes.

The US Army Corps of Engineers was assigned to work with the organization to curb the disasters. In the joint work of engineers and organizations, they built channels, levees, and gates.

But recent hurricanes and rainfall have increased the water level of Lake Okeechobee by 12 ft (3.6 m) above sea level.

Environmental Concerns: Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee is a natural habitat of vast species of flora and fauna. The lake comprises over 40 species of native fish, including the largemouth bass, Okeechobee catfish, and bluegill, and these fish populations create a natural environment for different wading birds and other wildlife.

Macrophytes of Lake Okeechobee are very important in the dynamics of lakes and habitats for fish. Macrophytes available in the lake provide oxygen through photosynthesis. Macrophytes are also known to act as a buffer for phosphorus uptake. But due to climate change, the increased quantity of phosphorus shows decreased richness of macrophytes.

The fauna of Lake Okeechobee is very reliant on the macrophytes for food and protection, but in recent years, the decreased diversity of macrophytes has had a negative effect on the richness of fauna available in the lake.

The diversity of macrophytes depends on water quality, water depth, water transparency, and light availability, along with birds and other biological factors.

Geology Of Lake Okeechobee

The floor of Lake Okeechobee is a limestone basin. The geological trough is underlain by deposits of the Kissimmee River and Everglades that consist of limestone and sand along the west and east coasts of Florida.

Initially, the trough was dry, but as the sea level rose, it affected the water table of Florida, and due to which rainfall also increased. This converted the dry trough into a wetland, and gradually the wetland converted into what is today, Lake Okeechobee.

The secondary sources of the Lake Okeechobee are Fisheating Creek, Lake Istokpoga, Taylor Creek, and other smaller sources like Nubbin Slough.

Water from Lake Okeechobee drains or outflows to coastal rivers like St. Lucie River, the Miami River, Florida bay, New River, and the Caloosahatchee River that connects the San Carlos Bay. The water of Lake Okeechobee also flows out for the water supply of the irrigation industry. Lake Okeechobee is authorized for waterways for boats, fishing, wildlife, and recreation.

Did You Know...

The name of Florida's Inland Sea, 'Okeechobee', comes from the Hitchiti words 'Oki' (meaning water) and 'Chubi' (meaning big). This combined made the Seminole word 'big water' in the language spoken by the Seminole Indians. Interestingly this term is also known for the water bodies whose opposite shore can not be seen from the water's edge.

Roughly 6,000 years ago, Lake Okeechobee was formed when vast ocean waters diminished and some water was leftover in what was a shallow depression, gradually becoming the lake bed that is Lake Okeechobee.

Miami is located about 100 mi (160 km) southeast of Lake Okeechobee, roughly a two-hour drive one way.

Lake Okeechobee comprises natural freshwater and is the eighth largest lake. In past centuries of Florida, the lake was known as Mayacco Lake or Lake Mayacaon. There are three islands named Kreamer, Ritta, and Torey on the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee that were once settled by the pioneers. These settlements had merchant shops, schools, post offices, and more.

After the '60s, the settlements were dropped because the main source of livelihood was agriculture, and farming was extremely challenging on the islands due to muddy lands. Here are some interesting facts about Lake Okeechobee:

• The deepest part of Lake Okeechobee is known to be 12 ft (3.6 m) deep toward the limestone basin.
• Lake Okeechobee Flood Control District excavated the center portion of Lake Okeechobee for the construction of a dike.
• The creation of the Hoover Dike helped the organization maintain Lake Okeechobee's water level between 12.5-15.5 ft (3.8-4.7 m).
• The result of this was seen when the drought struck Florida in 2007; the lake was easy to navigate via the rim canal when the surrounding areas were too shallow.
• The secondary sources of the Lake Okeechobee are Lake Istokpoga, Fisheating Creek, Taylor Creek, and smaller sources like Nubbin Slough.
• The water of Lake Okeechobee is also flowed out for water supply in South Florida for the agriculture irrigation industry.
• Lake Okeechobee is authorized for waterways for boats, fishing, and recreation.
• Lake Okeechobee has five counties that divide this lake; Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Hendry, and Palm Beach.
• In Lake Okeechobee, there are a few small islands named Hog, Horse, Eagle Bay, Observation, Grass, Torry, Kreamer, and Ritta.
• The floor of Lake Okeechobee is a limestone basin.
• Lake Okeechobee comprises 40 species of native fish for fishing, namely largemouth bass, Okeechobee catfish, and bluegill.
• The diversity of macrophytes depends on water quality, light availability, and other biological factors.
• Lake Okeechobee has a drainage of approximately 2.8 million ac (1.1 million ha).

Apart from the above things to do, you could also visit the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park, Fisheating Creek, activities on any of its islands, John Stretch Memorial Park, or even the Miami Canal.