Lake Okeechobee, also called Florida’s Inland Sea, is Florida’s largest freshwater lake. This lake is United States? eighth largest natural freshwater lake.
Highlights
The word Okeechobee is derived from the Hitchiti language which is the language of the indigenous Hitchiti people of the United States. They lived on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in what is now Georgia. Chubi in Hitchiti means big and Oki means water. In the 16th Century the lake was discovered. It was discovered by the Spaniards, who named it Serrope. In the late 18th century, it was called by the British as Laguna de Espiritu Santo. In the 19th century, this lake was named Mayacco Lake after Mayacas. The name Mayaca was used by the Spaniards to refer to the indigenous Americans who live in Florida. The name remains in the Mayaca port of the United States to this day.
Formation of Lake Okeechobee
In the Kissimmee River Valley, Lake Okeechobee is located. Until 6,000 years ago the trough was dry. As the sea level rose, the water table in Florida rose. This increased precipitation. About 4,000 years ago, the wetlands of the area formed a layer of peat. Thus a dam was formed due to which the water in the lake was stored. Rainwater began to flow into the lake and eventually formed the lake. The bottom of the lake is made of limestone.
Islands
In the southern rim of the lake there are three islands which are named Ritta, Torey and Kreamer. These islands were once inhabited by prisoners. The settlement also had schools, post offices, department stores, and municipal elections. The land was very fertile. However, the land was muddy and difficult to cultivate.
About Rim Canal
Along the perimeter of this lake runs the canal. During the construction of a dam along the perimeter of the lake, the soil was dug along the perimeter. This caused the creation of a canal around the lake which is called the rim canal. Canals are mostly part of lakes. But on the island of Kreamer it is separate. Navigating the waters of the lake is not easy. However, navigating the rim canal is quite straightforward.
About Herbert Hoover Dike
Herbert Hoover Dike is a dam which is located around Lake Okeechobee. The clay wall was built in the 1910s. However, the Great Miami Hurricane in the year 1926 breached the wall and thus, the dike was then constructed. It was named after President Herbert Hoover because it was built during the reign of President Herbert Hoover.
Concerns
The lake has a high content of arsenic and pesticides. The arsenic content which is found in the lake?s norther part is four times the housing limit.
