Lake Okeechobee, Freshwater lake in South Florida, US.
Lake Okeechobee is a wide freshwater lake in southern Florida that covers a large area and remains shallow throughout. The water is surrounded by a tall levee that protects the surrounding land, while marshes and water plants cover much of the shoreline.
In the 1920s two devastating storms caused severe flooding that killed hundreds of people and led to the construction of a major protective barrier. The building of the Herbert Hoover Dike began in the 1930s and changed the relationship between the lake and surrounding communities forever.
The name comes from Hitchiti words meaning big water, a reminder of the native peoples who lived here long before European settlers arrived. Today the lake plays a central role in farming and fishing, with many communities along the shore depending on the water.
Access to the shore is available at several public boat ramps and parks that work well for fishing and boating. Weather can change quickly, especially during warmer months when thunderstorms are common.
The lake works as a large natural storage unit in the Florida water system and links the Kissimmee River to the north with the Everglades to the south. This complex hydrological network regulates water flow across much of the peninsula.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
