Why is Lake Okeechobee So Polluted?

Why is Lake Okeechobee So Polluted?

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Lake Okeechobee is a popular water world in Florida.

As

young adults, we have come here to unwind

.

  However, I am scared of touching the water with a stick because of its contamination.

Why is

Lake Okeechobee

so polluted?

I believe the stormwater and

agricultural runoff polluted the lake

.

Lake Okeechobee

covers about 450,000 square acres, but the pollution has made it unsafe for humans.

Further, many people wonder if

Lake Okeechobee is a sinkhole

.

  Deep

Lake is a popular natural sinkhole in the south of Lake Okeechobee

.

Remember that the lake is home to pythons,

Florida sugar king snakes

, and Brahminy blind snakes.

Why is Lake Okeechobee so polluted?

Harmful discharges from agriculture polluted Lake Okeechobee, the “liquid heart” of Florida.

Why is Lake Okeechobee So Polluted?

Why is Lake Okeechobee So Polluted?

Sadly, the lake has been heavily polluted by harmful agricultural discharges.

Water from the lake discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St.

Lucie rivers during high water events.

However, this discharge starves Florida Bay of the freshwater it naturally received through the historic Everglades.

As a result, the nutrient-rich water is increasing harmful algal blooms.

Blame Phosphorus for Poisoning Lake Okeechobee

The Everglades is located in South Florida and is among the most diverse wetlands worldwide.

People depend on the Everglades for wonder, recreation, and water.

Lake Okeechobee is at the center of the Everglades, and its phosphorus pollution is increasing toxic algae growth.

  As a result, aquatic plants and animals are killed by this pollution.

For at least two decades, the algae blooms have caused problems in Lake Okeechobee due to the presence of phosphorus.

  The agriculture activities in and around the lake have increased the inflow of phosphorus in the water.

Lake Okeechobee

The Kissimmee River basin feeds Lake Okeechobee.

The river basin is  a fertile South Florida area where many people farm.

For instance,  between 1940 and 1980, farmers found the basin has found an important place for farmers who rely on phosphorus fertilizers.

As a result, the area became lucrative for a thriving agricultural sector and productive cattle pastures.

  Unfortunately, the excess fertilizer in the soil damages the area, but there have been recommendable practices to reduce this pollution.

Despite the effort put to reduce the fertilizer, the soil still has a high level of phosphorus.

The groundwater drains through the ground and drives phosphorus into the lake.

Since people have used the Everglades for real estate, leisure, and agriculture, toxins have refused to come down.

The Trouble with Phosphorus

Initially, I thought it would be a a simple solution to make Lake Okeechobee clean water again, but I was wrong.

  Removing phosphorus could be a herculean task because it forms a powerful bond with soil.

Hence, only a small amount of phosphorus can leave the soil at a given period, especially during floods and rainfall.

When rainfall and flood happen, they release phosphorus and push it to the south.

Since releasing phosphorus is not a fast process a huge amount drains into the lake early.

Theoretically, the slow process of feeding phosphorus into the lake may take hundreds of years to eliminate the toxin.

  Therefore, the “legacy phosphorus” is here to stay and  the state has no sound plan of eradicating it.

Furthermore, when phosphorus enters a water body, it does not leave, which has become Lake Okeechobee’s problem.

I don’t know the state would one day remove the high level of phosphorus in the lake.

Toxic Algae Blooms

With the presence of phosphorus in the soil, groundwater washes it into the lake, and it has caused toxic algae blooms.

When the blooms happen, they cover the lake’s surface and take out sunlight, eventually killing aquatic plants.

When the plants die, they lake gets deprived of oxygen and kills the rest of the aquatic life.

On the other hand, humans can’t touch things in the lake because of the toxic nature of the algae.

When blooms happen, they produce toxic cyanobacteria, which can cause skin irritations, gastroenteritis, and lung irritations.

However, people still rely on the lake for different purposes.

Fixing the Problem

The problem has become more challenging because of lack of funding and politics.

  Although the federal and state level wants to handle this issue, but it requires billions of dollars in infrastructure and research funds.

In addition, time is vital in this project.

Since, phosphorus have been in the soil for decades, removing or neutralizing it may require a radical development.

How You Can Help

You should stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

If you reside near the Everglades, you can help the water by reducing the chemicals you use.

The toxic chemicals are in the soil and washed away into the water.

Ensure that you learn more about the problem, You can research the Everglades and the Everglades Restoration Project to learn more.

You can learn about water quality, especially in the Everglades, at Save the Water.

In addition, you can support by donating to the organization to help fund water research.

Don’t be quiet!

Ensure that you talk about pollution and create awareness.

You should be mindful of the environment and nature.

Therefore you can take pictures when you visit the Everglades.

You should watch the place you drop things, especially toxic stuff that may end up in the water.

For instance, you should find ways to dispose of prescriptions and household chemicals properly.

 FAQs

Can you drink Lake Okeechobee water?

Yes, you can drink the

lake’s water

when treated.

  But I don’t recommend you drinking from the lake.

The Okeechobee Utility Authority collects at least  2.

5 million gallons daily from the lake.

In addition, they collect water from the Rim Canal and release it to the public as drinkable water.

Can you eat fish out of Lake Okeechobee?

No, the

Florida Department of Health advises against it because aquatic animals

like fish in the lake show cyanotoxins accumulating in their organs.

Therefore, you should harvest or eat these fish.

How long has Lake Okeechobee been polluted?

At least two decades.

Lake Okeechobee

started experiencing massive algae in the last two decades.

The problem is directly linked to phosphorus from agricultural activities in and around the lake.

 

ABOUT ME

Born & raised amidst the gators and orange groves of Florida, I’ve waded through the Everglades and braved the dizzying heights of Orlando’s roller coasters.

About Us Jeff from TravelMagma

But FL is just the beginning of my adventures.

I’ve journeyed far and wide. Yet, it was the serene beauty of Japan that truly captured my heart.

I even wrote my own little
Caribbean Guide.

But…

My 2nd book “Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” became a bestseller, a guide filled with wisdom:

TravelMagma is where I tell the tales of the road, capture the essence of each destination, and inspire you to make your own footprints around the globe.

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Jeff