What is the most serious problem of Lake Okeechobee?

Toxic algae fed by agricultural fertilizers spread across the wide, shallow lake, which is the largest in the Southeast United States. The algae poisons the air, and seasonal rains threaten to swell the lake and disperse the contaminated water toward popular beaches.



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Many years of high water levels in the Lake made the Dike prone to “piping,” a leak that can lead to collapse. Erosion and Dike failure can also occur from water overtopping the Dike during major storm events. On a scale of Dam Safety Action Classification, the Dike is identified at Level 1 on a scale of 1-5.

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Visiting Lake Okeechobee is worth it for many folks interested in fishing, nature, hiking, and other outdoor activities. It is not, however, an experience for those who wish to go swimming, wading, or otherwise come into contact with the water. The alligators alone make the lake a dangerous spot.

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The Florida Department of Health advises against it, according to its website. Fish tested from water with blue-green algae show that cyanotoxins don't accumulate much in the edible parts — muscle or fillet — of fish, but can in other organs, its website says. The safest choice is to not harvest or eat these fish.

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The water is dark water due to at least two factors: naturally occurring tannins and “muck”. 1. Naturally occurring tannins from decaying organic matter and tree roots create a tea-like color and clarity in the water.

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While rare in Lake Okeechobee, Burmese pythons are occurring more frequently in the lake. The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) belongs to the python family Pythonidae. Historically from Southeast Asia, you can now find Burmese pythons throughout southern Florida.

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