Is it Safe to Swim in Lake Okeechobee Florida?

Have you ever considered taking a dip in Lake Okeechobee, Florida?

The last time I was down in Okeechobee, I “regretfully” didn’t have time to take a plunge in the lake.

But let me tell you, this place is no joke!

Now, I know you might be wondering, “Is it safe to swim in Lake Okeechobee Florida?” And the answer is a hard NO.

This lake may look like a refreshing oasis, but it’s been polluted for decades with all sorts of chemicals and agro-waste.

And if that doesn’t scare you off, I’m sure the vast amount of alligators will…

Apart there are warning signs plastered all over the place telling you to stay out of the water.

But don’t get me wrong,

is a sight to see.

It’s like an inland sea right in the middle of the Sunshine State.

And if you’re into fishing, this place is a haven for trophy bass.

In fact, many anglers come from all over just to compete here.

Personally, I love the area

.

It’s located in the southeast region of Florida and is shared by five counties – Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, and Henry.

The spot where all these counties converge is right smack in the middle of the lake.

And the best part is that Lake Okeechobee is just a stone’s throw away from popular cities like West

, Vero Beach, and Sebring.

But even if you’re coming from Miami, Orlando, or Tampa, it’s still less than a three-hour drive.

Now, let me tell you a little story about my experience with this crazy lake.

One time, my buddy and I were fishing out on Lake Okeechobee, just having a grand old time reeling in fish left and right.

Suddenly, we heard a loud splash and looked over to see a gator jumping into the water.

We thought we were done for, but thankfully the gator didn’t bother us.

Needless to say, we high-tailed it out of there as fast as we could!

So, to sum it all up, if you’re looking for a refreshing swim, Lake Okeechobee is not your place.

But if you’re up for some great fishing, stunning views, and the occasional gator sighting, then come on down to the Inland Sea of Florida.

Just be sure to stay out of the water!

Lake Okeechobee Toxicity

As a result of the bustling agricultural industry around Florida, Lake Okeechobee, and many other lakes in Florida always have large deposits of blue-green algae in them.

The Florida state government has been doing all it could to eradicate these algae for years, but the surge experienced in 2021 and 2022 was excessive.

These algae are dangerous.

They hurt Lake Okeechobee, and many other rivers, streams, and other waterways connected to the lake.

Anytime they notice an abundance of harmful blue-green algae in bodies of water in the state, the Florida Department of Health usually raises the alarm.

The Florida state authorities researched some samples of the algae in January 2022 and discovered that their toxin levels are very higher than the safety level approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Lake Okeechobee’s Color

Why is the lake dark?

 Lake Okeechobee wears a very dark outlook and sometimes looks deep brown.

This is why it does not appeal to many people who love water activities.

The factors contributing to its dark color are naturally occurring tannins and agricultural and storm wastes pollutants.

The source of the naturally occurring tannins is from decaying roots of dead trees, and other organic matters.

These particles always settle at the bottom of the water only to float to the surface when they are disturbed by the weather, like in the rainy season.

So, there is no need to get worried about this contributing factor to the unattractive coloring of the lake because it is natural.

On the other hand, the high level of

is what calls for concern.

This pollution is from agricultural and storm wastes.

During heavy rains, chemicals from golf courses, homes, and farms are washed into the lake.

At last, these dangerous chemicals may end up in our different water sources.

How deep Is the deepest part of Lake Okeechobee?

Lake Okeechobee is very wide but very shallow.

Its deepest side is less than 12 feet.

The

is Deep Lake, with a depth of 90 feet.

The lake is located about 100 miles southwest of Lake Okeechobee, close to Everglades City.

Can You Swim in Lake Okeechobee?

You may be asking, can I still swim in

?

Although there may be a large number of alligators in the lake, you need to consider its massive size.

The lake size is 28 times bigger than Lake Jesup in

.

The number of alligators in Lake Jesup is half the number in Lake Okeechobee.

Although Lake Okeechobee looks good to swim in, it is not.

Apart from the gators obvious risk, for decades the water has been polluted.

Agro-allied chemicals have been flushed into it.

The authorities have put warning signs at many of its best swimming spots.

If you are brave (or stupid) enough to enter the water, you should beware of algae blooms and avoid them.

Do not allow the lake water to enter your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Take a bath as soon as you can.

Many people still swim in this lake not minding the potential dangers and being a tasty snack for the gator….

The popular water activities people, especially the locals perform on this lake are skiing, tubing, and swimming.

You can swim in the lake as long as you can avoid the algae blooms.

Okeechobee Locks

Lake Okeechobee sits 12-18 feet above sea level, so it has locks.

Ships move up and down the channel, not pushing the lake water into the ocean due to these locks.

The five locks are at the lake’s public recreation areas.

As you take your picnic lunch, you will see the boats sail through the locks along the route.

Is it

?

Lake Okeechobee is one of the best fishing locations in America.

However, the variation in the levels of algae and other pollutants in the water poses a big challenge to swimming and other water activities.

FAQs

Can you eat the fish out of Lake Okeechobee Florida?

The

should not be eaten.

The organization posted on its website that fish from the water with blue-green algae does not have many cyanotoxins accumulated in its muscle or fillet but in its other organs.

To be safe, do not harvest or eat fish from Lake Okeechobee.

How many alligators are in Lake Okeechobee?

3,800 different arthropods depend on Lake Okeechobee for survival.

They are made up of insects, arachnids, and about 400 species of nematodes.

The fascinating thing is the nearly 30,000 alligators that live in it, owing to its size and suitable habitat.

Can you drink Lake Okeechobee water?

About 2.

5 million gallons of water are pulled from the lake daily by the Okeechobee Utility Authority.

The utility department also pulls water from the nearby Rim Canal to backup.

The one-time raw lake water becomes drinkable within 15 to 20 minutes of treatment.