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Lake Okeechobee is a large, shallow lake in Florida that provides fresh water for irrigation and urban areas. It is also a popular spot for recreational fishing. However, its management has been criticized for its impact on the environment and pollution. The state of Florida has implemented a program to restore the lake’s health.
Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida and is one of the largest in North America. The lake is home to many different species of fish and birds and is an important source of water for the southern tip of Florida. The lake has a surface area of about 730 square miles (about 1,175 square kilometers). Despite its enormous size, it is a relatively shallow body of water, with depths averaging less than 10 feet (3 meters) to a maximum typically less than 20 feet (about 6.1 meters).
The name Lake Okeechobee comes from a Seminole tribal word meaning “big water.” Standing on one side, it is impossible to see the other way. The lake is the second largest wholly contained freshwater lake in the United States. Only Lake Michigan, still within US borders, is larger. Some of the other Great Lakes are even bigger, but those lakes are shared with Canada.
One of the most important contributions Lake Okeechobee makes to the state is to provide a source of fresh water for the southern sections of Florida. The lake is an important source of irrigation for sugar cane and other crops in the region. It also supplies water to urban areas. If the lake falls below a certain level, the irrigation channels will not be gravity fed. Therefore, water levels in the lake may impose some restrictions on use.
In addition to its use as a source of fresh water, Lake Okeechobee also offers a variety of recreational opportunities. The lake is one of the most popular producers of largemouth bass in North America. They can be caught all year round, with the area’s temperate climate. Thus, the recreational fishing industry, as well as other outdoor activities, tends to have a large impact on the region.
The management of the lake is not without criticism. Some have suggested that using the lake’s water for irrigation and other purposes has been bad for the environment. For example, they argue that the lake can help starve the Everglades at certain points in the year. Conversely, it could flood the Everglades at other times of the year, causing even more problems.
While the pollution problem is not unique to Lake Okeechobee, it has hit the lake very hard. The state of Florida underwent a program to help restore the lake to ensure its continued health. The program focused not only on watershed projects, but also on projects in the lake itself that could help improve water quality.
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