The Shores of Lake Okeechobee

The 8th largest fresh-water lake in the US and the largest in Florida, it covers 730 square miles. In 1926, a hurricane killed 300 people and just two short years later, another hurricane killed probably 2500. President Hoover then sent the Army Corp of Engineers to build a levee around the lake (140 miles). It is because of this levee that the lake is hard to see. This is on the north side, and I saw it for the first time today. It was cold and windy. Parts of the lake had white caps!

[Mags]

That's a name I haven't heard in a while. Lovely capture and interesting history.

[gloria jones]

Gorgeous colors...great composition

[Thom Mitchell]

Beautiful, simple colors!

[Allison Williams]

Interesting to learn the history. Were the local residents relieved to have the levee or upset that it blocked the lake?

[Danette Thompson]

@allie912 maybe one day, I will know that answer. Florida was still young during those years. People tried to “tame” the Everglades, to no avail. I imagine the people were happier to be safe. They were really living in an area that was more flood plain.

[Rick]

Interesting history to this area. Awesome capture.

[Skip Tribby - ​🖖]

Wow, 2500 lost souls. Thank goodness for the Army Corp of Engineers and a President who saw a big need.

[Diana]

Beautiful capture of this lovely scenery. Such interesting history too.

[Taffy]

Interesting background to the area -- sad to think of the lives lost, but it's a beautiful area now.

[Joan Robillard]

I only saw it once the whole time I lived in Florida. You have a better shot than I got.

[Danette Thompson]

@joansmor The north shore is definitely more accessible. It takes an effort in most places.

[Elisabeth Sæter]

Very nice shot

[Danette Thompson]

@skipt07 the safety of the people is important. Still, the project continues to cause problems in other ways, unfortunately. We will never be without a levee.