Lake Okeechobee is one of the most talked about lakes in the United States. It has a rich history that dates back 6,000 years. It has always been a major source of water for Florida. Some of Florida’s first descendants lived near the great lake many, many years ago. The name Okeechobee means “big water”.
In the early days of the Lake, there were no waterways leading to of from the lake. When the lake overflowed, the water would stream south into the area that is now known as the Everglades. This was the natural pattern before man stepped in and starting building dams and locks.