Florida’s Inland Sea - Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee, located in Florida, is the largest freshwater lake in the state and a key feature of the Everglades ecosystem. Spanning about 730 square miles, it’s often called Florida’s “inland sea.” The lake sits at roughly 12-15 feet above sea level, with an average depth of just 9 feet, making it quite shallow for its size. It’s fed by the Kissimmee River and other smaller tributaries, and its outflow helps sustain the Everglades and Florida Bay.

Historically, the lake was surrounded by a vast custard-apple forest and had no dike. After devastating floods, like the 1928 hurricane that killed over 2,500 people, the Herbert Hoover Dike was built in the 1930s to control flooding. This 143-mile earthen dam now encircles the lake, though it’s been criticized for disrupting natural water flows and contributing to ecological issues.

Lake Okeechobee’s wetlands and marshes support various aquatic and semi-aquatic flowering plants tied to its ecosystem. Common ones include:

• White water lily (Nymphaea odorata): These float on the lake’s surface with large, fragrant white flowers and round leaves. They’re widespread in the shallow waters and provide habitat for fish and insects.
  

• Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata): Purple-blue spike flowers on tall stems, thriving in the lake’s marshes. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
  

• Alligator flag (Thalia geniculata): Tall plants with small purple flowers, common in wet areas around the lake. They’re a key part of the Everglades’ plant community.
  

• Spatterdock (Nuphar lutea): Yellow, cup-shaped flowers that sit above the water, often seen in quieter parts of the lake.
  

These plants play ecological roles, stabilizing sediment, filtering water, and supporting wildlife like birds and fish. However, invasive species like water hyacinth and hydrilla can choke out native flowers, harming the lake’s health. Algal blooms, driven by nutrient pollution, also threaten these plants by blocking sunlight.

The lake faces ongoing environmental challenges. Nutrient runoff, mainly phosphorus from agriculture, triggers harmful algal blooms, like the toxic cyanobacteria outbreaks in 2016 and 2018 that led to emergency declarations. These blooms threaten wildlife, water quality, and local economies dependent on fishing and tourism. Efforts to restore the lake include projects like the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, which aims to redirect cleaner water south to mimic natural flows.

Economically, Lake Okeechobee supports commercial fishing (catfish and bass are big) and sportfishing, with towns like Clewiston and Okeechobee thriving on tourism. The lake’s bass fishing is world-renowned, drawing anglers for trophy-sized catches. Nearby, cattle ranches and sugarcane fields dominate the landscape, though they’re often blamed for pollution.

Culturally, the lake holds significance for the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes, who’ve lived in the region for centuries. It’s also a hub for birdwatching, with species like the Everglades snail kite and great blue heron dotting its marshes.