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 lil...