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Lake Okeechobee facts for kids

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Lake Okeechobee
Florida Lac Okeechobee.jpg
Photographed from space, 2000
Location of Lake Okeechobee in Florida, USA.
Location of Lake Okeechobee in Florida, USA.
Lake Okeechobee
Location in Florida
Location of Lake Okeechobee in Florida, USA.
Location of Lake Okeechobee in Florida, USA.
Lake Okeechobee
Location in the United States
South Florida Big Cypress Swamp.jpg
Shown at the top of this map of South Florida
Location Florida
Coordinates 26°56′N 80°48′W / 26.933°N 80.800°W / 26.933; -80.800
Primary inflows Kissimmee River, Fisheating Creek, Taylor Creek
Primary outflows Everglades, Caloosahatchee River, St. Lucie River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 57.5 km (36 mi)
Max. width 46.6 km (29 mi)
Surface area 1,900 km2 (734 sq mi)
Average depth 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
Max. depth 3.7 m (12 ft)
Water volume 5.2 km3 (1 cu mi) (estimated)
Residence time 3 years
Surface elevation 3.74 to 5.49 m (12 to 18 ft)
Islands Kreamer, Torry, Ritta, Grass, Observation, Bird, Horse, Hog, Eagle Bay

Lake Okeechobee, also known as Florida's Inland Sea, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. It is the eighth largest natural freshwater lake among the 50 states of the United States and the second-largest natural freshwater lake contained entirely within the contiguous 48 states.

Okeechobee covers 730 square miles (1,900 km2) and is exceptionally shallow for a lake of its size, with an average depth of only 9 feet (2.7 metres). The Kissimmee River, located directly north of Lake Okeechobee, is the lake's primary source. The lake is divided between Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, and Hendry counties. All five counties meet at one point near the center of the lake.

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Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lago Okeechobee para niños

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