Why are the dead lakes of Wewahitchka?

Why are the dead lakes of Wewahitchka?

Dead Lakes was reportedly formed when sand bars created by the Apalachicola River’s current blocked the Chipola River, the ensuing high water killed thousands of trees in the floodplain, leaving a graveyard of bottom heavy cypress skeletons, stumps and knees.

Are there alligators in the Dead Lakes Florida?

Dead Lakes Locations Animal life includes foxes, cotton rats, raccoons, opossums, deer, rabbits, skunks, beavers, turtles, snakes, and alligators.

What does the name Wewahitchka mean?

water eyes
At the northern end of the county, Wewahitchka takes its unique name from the American Indian expression meaning “water eyes.”

How did dead lakes in Florida get its name?

It takes the name from being the last stop on the steamboat trips down the St. John’s River, into a winding channel that leads to Crescent Lake and then to ‘Dead Lake’ as the last stop.

What is a dead lake?

Some eutrophic lakes (and coastal regions of the ocean) may develop what is referred to as dead zones in the summer. Dead Zones are areas without enough dissolved oxygen to support fish or zooplankton.

What kind of fish are in dead Lake Florida?

Dead Lakes offers a variety of species of fish including largemouth bass, spotted bass, perch, bluegill (bream), redear sunfish (shellcracker), bowfin (mudfish), chain pickerel (jackfish), flathead catfish, channel catfish, and mullet.

Is Wewahitchka Florida a safe place to live?

Wewahitchka is in the 17th percentile for safety, meaning 83% of cities are safer and 17% of cities are more dangerous. The rate of crime in Wewahitchka is 48.99 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.

When was Wewahitchka founded?

1875
Wewahitchka was founded in 1875 Rev John W. Richards. The Richards family had been in the local area since the early 1800s. One of the local cemeteries is named in honor of Jehu Richards who as a young boy survived an Indian massacre during the First Seminole Was in 1818.

Can you swim in a dead lake?

In the event of a summer kill, recreationalists should be aware that there may be a foul odour in the area and it may contain high levels of bacteria due to decomposition. Avoid swimming and other forms of recreation (water skiing, paddle boarding) in areas with large numbers of dead and decomposing fish.

Can a dead zone recover?

Coastal waters contain the vast majority, though some exist in inland waterways. A handful of the 166 dead zones have since bounced back through improved management of sewage and agricultural runoff, but as fertilizer use and factory farming increase, we are creating dead zones faster than nature can recover.

How did Wewahitchka get its name?

Wewahitchka is a city in Gulf County, Florida, United States. The city took its name from an American Indian word meaning “water eyes”. Two lakes along the edge of town look like a perfect pair of eyes.

How do you know if a lake is swimmable?

5 Signs that a River or Lake is Not Safe to Swim In

1. There’s algae everywhere.
2. The current is faster than you can swim.
3. There are posted signs near your swimming area.
4. You’re near a spot where two rivers merge.
5. The water is near a pasture or farmland.

How did Wewahitchka, fl get its name?

At the northern end of the county, Wewahitchka takes its unique name from the American Indian expression meaning “water eyes.” Like much of Gulf County, Wewahitchka is defined by its waterways, located along the Chipola River and the legendary Dead Lakes, home to one of the richest eco-systems in Florida and a true local wonder…

Where are the Dead Lakes in Gulf County?

Wewahitchka At the northern end of the county, Wewahitchka takes its unique name from the American Indian expression meaning “water eyes.” Like much of Gulf County, Wewahitchka is defined by its waterways, located along the Chipola River and the legendary Dead Lakes, home to one of the richest eco-systems in Florida and a true local wonder…

Where are the dead lake lodges in Florida?

Dead Lake Sportsman Lodge; east of Wewahitchka at site of old Dead Lake Dam (2001 Lake Grove Rd., Wewahitchka, FL 32465): 850-639-5051. Magnolia Lodge; 345 S. Bass Dr., Wewahitchka, FL 32465; contact Laura Bush: 850-639-6760. Off the Map Expeditions (guided kayak or pontoon tours, no boat rentals); contact Mr. Godwin: 850-819-3053.

When was Dead Lakes State Park in Florida removed?

Known as Dead Lakes State Recreation Area until the State of Florida removed it from the Florida State Parks system in 2003, it is now a Gulf County Park with signage and facilities that make it obvious that it was once a state park.