Today I am talking about the place that is simply impossible not to notice from the window of an airplane preparing to land at Miami International Airport… Yes, this is Lake Okeechobee!
Today I take you on a little ride through the Florida wilderness along the Okeechobee River.
Okeechobee, “big water” in the Seminole language, is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and the second largest freshwater lake in the United States (after Michigan Lake).
Okeechobee covers an area of 733.5 square miles, but on average, its depth does not exceed 9 feet.
The lake attracts primarily fishermen, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts.
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Visiting Lake Okeechobee
The first time we decided to stop by to see Okeechobee on the way home from Fort Myers, on the east coast,
The road goes through small, unremarkable towns, fields, and swamps.
In the south of Okeechobee, there is a small town called Cluiston, which is a starting point for tourists to get acquainted with the lake.
We drove by in the dead of the off-season, and the streets were deserted; tourists did not go anywhere.
We found the way to the lake, left the car, climbed the hill, and there we saw the canal! Hey, where are the endless waters of Okeechobee?
It turned out that the lake itself is right behind the canal; you just need to know how to swim into it.
The second attempt to see the lake was successful. We stopped by it spontaneously and decided to make a circle through West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie.
We arrived at Okeechobee from the 500-person village of Kenel Point.
In general, I can’t call these places especially touristy, but it was all the more interesting to see the unusual and not ordinary Florida.
What is the Best Way to see Lake Okeechobee?
While you are driving around the lake in search of it, you cannot see it.
You need to follow the signs, which will say that the observation deck is on the right. Then slow down, look for a turn, and turn at the sign.
After climbing up the mountain, a stunning picture appears before the eye: a huge lake, like the sea, stretches out its arms to you.
And it seems that the depth here is not at all 9 feet, but all 30, if not 300.
It definitely looks like a seacoast.
Each observation deck has a separate parking lot and a check-in for cars that brought boats with them.
Actually, this is the culminating point: it is strictly forbidden to swim in the lake.
And not at all because it is somehow dirty, beating with cold springs, or simply infected. No. The fact is that it is literally teeming with alligators and a huge amount of fish.
Well, you also have a great opportunity there to ride a motorboat across the lake on a fairly modest budget.
Travel time from Miami to Fort Lauderdale is one and a half to two hours.
Is Lake Okeechobee Worth Visiting?
In general, I think it’s a good place to walk around if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t go to this area just because of the lake.
In general, for a weekend tour and relaxation from the everyday bustle of Miami, Lake Okeechobee is perfect, and if you are also a horse rider, then it’s completely ideal because the number of horses there is greater than or equal to the number of people living there.
From the houses around you, you can immediately understand the standard of living of the local population. Mostly, these are inconspicuous, peeling shacks or even trailers.
Near many houses, there are trucks.
Nevertheless, each shed has a boat and at least one car.
It doesn’t matter which house you live in; there is no way in this area without a car or watercraft.
In general, I can’t call these places especially touristy, but it was all the more interesting to see such a kind of Florida.
What is Special About Lake Okeechobee?
Okeechobee is special because of fishing, watching alligators, and a riot of colors at sunset—things that you can look for in all of Florida.
And it’s calm and quiet there. In the evenings, campers sing songs, roast meat, and chat vigorously, discussing who saw which alligator today.
So if you are a lover of camping life in its best temperature traditions with palm-pine flavor, then this is the place for you; there will definitely be something to tell and remember later.
Close to Lake Okeechobee, there is a wonderful rehabilitation center for wild animals in Florida: Arnold‘s Wildlife Rehabilitation.
This is a pretty nice place run by volunteers who are true fans of their work. Entrance to the territory is absolutely free. There is a donation box in front of the gate.
The price is modestly indicated on it: 10 USD. But this is more of a wish, since no one will keep track of exactly how much you put in.
However, as soon as you step into the territory of the zoo, it immediately becomes clear that no amount of money is a pity for the return of pets to their habitats.
Can I Drive Around Lake Okeechobee?
Yes, you can drive around Lake Okeechobee; for example, drive by the 7-mile-long Martin Grade Scenic Highway, which runs from western Palm City to the lake’s edge.
If you take a different route, then it will take an impressive amount of time to go around it, or, let’s say, the whole day.
How Deep is Lake Okeechobee?
Although Lake Okeechobee is very large, its average depth is only about 9 feet.
Water levels in Lake Okeechobee are highest from October to March and lowest from June to August.
The water temperature in the lake is usually the lowest in January, at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the highest in August, when it reaches almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lake can hold 1 trillion gallons of water.
Lake Okeechobee’s Deepest Point
The bottom of the lake consists of a limestone depression, and the deepest point of the lake is 13 feet.
Is Lake Okeechobee Polluted?
Unfortunately, yes.
There are high concentrations of harmful algae and agricultural runoff in the lake.
Now the lake is gradually shrinking. The reservoir feeds several rivers, including the Kissimmee River. However, the “red tide”, long periods of drought, and erosion are gradually destroying this natural wonder.
It is possible that, over time, the area of the reservoir will greatly decrease. There are plenty of lakes in Florida that are gradually disappearing, for example, Jackson (Jackson) in Tallahassee (Tallahassee). This will not happen soon, but such a scenario is quite real.
Of course, the state authorities are working to preserve the “insipid cradle” of the state, but certain signs are already visible.
During the seasonal drought, the waves recede further and further into the Everglades, creatingmore and more wetlands that were once bodies of water.
How Was Lake Okeechobee Formed?
The lake was formed about 6,000 years ago as a result of the departure of the ocean.
In general, it should be noted that the very name of the lake indicates that this area belongs to a certain ethnic group. Today, it has only a small piece in the southwest corner of the lake and is even marked on the map as Seminole Recreation.
The indigenous inhabitants of the lake, the Indians, live here.
On their side, there are much fewer residential communities than, for example, in the north, near the city of Okeechobee.
This is where most of the campsites are located. By the way, each of them is equipped with electricity and sewerage.
Are There Sharks in Lake Okeechobee?
No, sharks do not live in Lake Okeechobee.
Everyone knows that sharks live in the seas and oceans. But not many people know that they are found in lakes or rivers.
I will surprise you, but there are sharks even in a fresh lake, namely in the Latin American Lake Nicaragua.
These species of sharks reach 10 feet in length and are one of the most dangerous for humans.
This species of shark, to this day, causes a lot of controversy among scientists.
It is authentically known that they have adapted to fresh water.
Is Lake Okeechobee Fresh Water?
Yes,
Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake and the second-largest, located entirely within the 48 contiguous states.
It is the seventh-largest freshwater lake in the United States. This is a great lake for fishing, and the fish in this lake are highly special: baked trout, crappie, and bluegill.
