Chain of Lakes (Winter Haven)

Last updated

The Chain of Lakes is a famous series of lakes in Central Florida. There are two chains of lakes, the northern chain and the southern chain. The northern chain extends across three cities: Winter Haven, Lake Alfred, and Lake Hamilton. It has ten lakes, connected by a series of canals. [1] The ten lakes on the northern chain are Lake Haines, Lake Rochelle, Lake Echo, Lake Conine, Lake Fannie, Lake Smart, Lake Henry, Lake Hamilton, Middle Lake Hamilton, and Little Lake Hamilton. [2]

Contents

The southern chain is located almost entirely within the city of Winter Haven. It has 16, sometimes 18, lakes connected by a series of canals. [1] The principal 16 lakes on the southern chain are Lake Howard, Lake Cannon, Lake Shipp, Lake Jessie, Lake Hartridge, Lake Lulu, Lake Roy, Lake Eloise, Little Lake Eloise, Lake Winterset, Little Lake Winterset, Lake May, Lake Mirror, Lake Idylwild, Spring Lake and Lake Summit. [2] Archived 2013-10-17 at the Wayback Machine </ref>

Hydrography

Winter Haven and the chain of lakes sit at the headwaters of the Peace River basin. [2] The southern chain has a total surface area of approximately 4,331 acres (1,753 ha). [2] The largest lake in the southern chain is Lake Eloise, with a surface area of 1,174 acres (475 ha). [2] The smallest lake in the southern chain is Spring Lake, with a surface area of 24 acres (9.7 ha). [2]

Paleolimnological studies have shown that the chain of lakes should have naturally high levels of tannins, which are caused by detritus from plants in the water. These tannins create the brown color characteristic in many lakes and slow-moving rivers in Florida. Currently, the majority of the lakes in both chains are officially listed as 'impaired' by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. [3] Impairment is based on the whether a lake meets its "designated uses", often referred; these lakes are designated as "fishable/swimmable". Examples of other designations include drinking water, shellfish propagation, and industrial use. The impaired lakes on the southern chain are Lulu, Shipp, May, Howard, Mirror, Cannon, Jessie, Idylwild, Spring, and Roy. The impaired lakes on the northern chain are Conine, Smart, Haines, Rochelle, and Hamilton. [3] These lakes have TSI numbers below 60.

The chain of lakes, as the headwaters of the Peace River, are important to the hydrological and environmental health of the region. The city of Winter Haven, Polk County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the state of the Florida, and the federal government all have working projects to improve the water quality levels within the chain of lakes. Sometimes these projects work well with each other; sometimes they do not. [3] Rapid urbanization around the chain of lakes threatens their long-term environmental health. Greater care by the residents in the area will be required to preserve the chain of lakes for future generations.

History

The Calusa were the first people to live in the chain of lakes area. Later, both the Creek and the Seminole were known to live and hunt in this area. [4] The Seminole name for the entire chain of lakes is "We-hi-ack-pa." [4] The area had no European or American settlement until the Florida Armed Occupation Act of 1842, which created incentives for settlers. Some of the lakes on the chain were named by these early settlers, including Lake Eloise, named for the daughter of the first American settler on that lake. [4]

During the 1840s and 1850s, the United States government conducted the first surveys of the area. In 1849, Dr. John Westcott completed an extensive survey of the area. Westcott named several of the lakes on the chain after his personal friends, including Lake Howard, Lake Hartridge, and Lake Conine. [4] Westcott, a devout Christian, also named Lake Canon, in reference to his religious beliefs. However, it was later renamed Lake Cannon by U.S. Army map-makers during the Seminole Wars. [4] Several small battles and skirmishes during the Seminole Wars occurred on the chain of lakes. The Seminole leader Chipco is known to have lived along the shores of Lake Hamilton during the Second Seminole War. [4]

In 1883, Henry Plant successfully built the first railroad across Polk County, passing right through the chain of lakes area. Some of the lakes were named by railroad workers at this time. [4] Lake Haines is named for Col. Henry Haines, a senior railroad official. Col. Haines was a prominent civil engineer and helped lay the roadbed used for the railroad tracks to cross the wetlands in this area. [4] Nearby Lake Henry and the neighboring community of Haines City are also named for Col. Haines.

The land around the chain of lakes was platted in 1884. By 1900, the area had a population of 400 people. [5] The city of Winter Haven was incorporated in 1911. In the 1920s and 1930s, the citrus industry expanded throughout the area, with thousands of acres of groves along the chain of lakes. John A. Snively played a significant role in developing citrus groves in the area. During this period, many homes in the Colonial Revival architectural style were built along the Chain of Lakes, including most of the historic homes in the Interlaken neighborhood. [6]

In 1936, Dick and Julie Pope opened Cypress Gardens on Lake Eloise. Through his efforts to promote his theme park, Dick Pope Sr. helped to make the Chain of Lakes world famous. Chain of Lakes Park was built on Lake Lulu in 1966. The Boston Red Sox, and later the Cleveland Indians, did their spring training there. The park also hosted several minor league teams. The area has continued to grow since then. [7]

Transportation

The first railroad line built in the area, by Henry Plant and Col. Henry Haines, passed close to Lake Henry and Lake Haines on the northern chain.

The major roads passing near the chain of lakes today are U.S. 17, U.S. 92, State Road 544, and State Road 540. Jack Browns Seaplane Base is located on Lake Jessie.

In addition, there is a multi-use paved hiking/biking trail known as the Chain of Lakes Trail.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter Haven, Florida</span> City in Florida, United States

Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. Neighboring Lakeland to its east, Winter Haven is located about 51 miles east of Tampa and about 47 miles southwest of Orlando. The city's population was 49,219 at the 2020 census, making it the second most populated city in Polk County after Lakeland. It is a principal city of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Lake Conine is a natural freshwater lake on the north side of Winter Haven, Florida. The lake is not within the city limits, but is almost entirely surrounded by the city of Winter Haven. Lake Conine is almost as often called Lake Connie as it is called Lake Conine. In fact, the Fishing Works website site has two listings calling this lake the former name and one calling it the latter. Lake Conine is bounded on the north and southwest by residential areas. On the west and southeast are woods. On the east the lake is bordered by SR 544. Lake Conine has a 237-acre (960,000 m2) surface area and it is shaped somewhat like a teardrop.

Lake Eloise is a large natural freshwater lake on the south side of Winter Haven, Florida. It is part of the southern Chain of Lakes. With a 1,174-acre (4,750,000 m2) surface area, it is one of the larger lakes in Polk County, Florida. Lake Eloise has a somewhat oval shape and has a large cove on its south side. It borders Lake Summit on its northeast and it almost borders Lake Lulu on its northwest. Lake Eloise is mostly surrounded by residential areas. However, the northern half of its eastern shore is occupied by Legoland Florida, which was once Cypress Gardens, a large area theme park. Some citrus groves border the lake on its west side. Eloise Loop Road passes by the south end of the cove on the lake's south side.

Lake Summit is a natural freshwater lake in Winter Haven, Florida. It has a 65.97-acre (267,000 m2) surface area and is somewhat oval in shape. It has two small coves on its north side. This lake is surrounded by residences around most of its perimeter. It has a public park, Lake Summit Park, on part of its west side, and Legoland Florida's water park is on its southeast shore. A boat canal on the south side of Lake Summit leads to Lake Eloise.

Lake Lulu is a natural freshwater lake in Winter Haven, Florida. The lake has a 315-acre (1,270,000 m2) surface area and has a somewhat irregular oval shape. It is bounded on the north and northeast by private residences. It has no eastern or western sides, as the lake's shore comes to a point on those two sides. At the eastern point, it is bounded by West Lake Eloise Drive and about 75 feet (23 m) beyond that is Lake Eloise. The entire south side of the lake is lined with a swampy area and a dense growth of trees.

Lake Gross is an oval-shaped lake. The Polk County Water Atlas says it is sometimes known as Lake Grassy or Lake Grass, but no other sources have used these names. Lake Gross is a natural freshwater lake with an 86.57-acre (350,300 m2) surface area. It is about 2,000 feet (610 m) southeast of Lake Eloise and about 1,200 feet (370 m) southwest of Lake Winterset. This lake is on the south fringe of Winter Haven, Florida. On the north Lake Gross is bordered by a small mobile home/RV park and on the west it is bordered by another such park, although this one is much larger. On the northeast, east and south, Lake Gross is bordered by pasture. About 200 feet (61 m) north of the lake is Eloise Loop Road.

Round Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the south side of Winter Haven, Florida. It is almost round in shape and has a surface area of 26.74-acre (108,200 m2). It is bordered on the north, east and southeast by houses in a gated community. On the south is a grass field, beyond which is Eloise Loop Road, and on the west and southwest is a citrus grove. Round Lake is about 660 feet (200 m) east of the south cove of Lake Winterset. This lake is swampy on much of its shore and there are ten or so minuscule islets along the shore.

Lake Reed is a lake located in southern Winter Haven, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Howard (Winter Haven, Florida)</span> Natural freshwater lake in Polk County, Florida

Lake Howard is a fresh water lake, located in Winter Haven, Florida. The lake is part of the headwaters of the Peace River watershed. Lake Howard is a prominent lake in Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes. Lake Howard is on the southern chain of lakes. It is connected to Lake Cannon, to the north-west, and Lake May, to the south-east. Lake Howard has a surface area of 624 acres. It has a mean depth of 10.9 feet (3.3 m), and maximum depth of 18.7 feet (5.7 m).

Lake Smart is a round natural freshwater lake, with a semicircular cove on its northwest side, on the northeast side of Winter Haven, Florida. Lake Smart has a water area of 277-acre (1,120,000 m2). This lake is mostly surrounded by woods and citrus groves. On its north and west sides it is bordered by residential developments. On the northwest Florida State Route 544 runs along Lake Smart's cove.

Middle Lake Hamilton, is a natural freshwater lake on the northeast edge of Winter Haven, Florida. At one point on the north shore the Winter Haven city limits touches the lake's shore. This lake has an 103-acre (420,000 m2) surface area. Middle Lake Hamilton is between two other lakes with Hamilton in their names, Lake Hamilton (Florida) and Little Lake Hamilton. Ironically, Middle Lake Hamilton is considerably smaller than Little Lake Hamilton. Much of Middle Lake Hamilton's north and northwest shore is bordered by a residential area, which is partly inside Winter Haven. The northeast shore is bordered by woods. The entire shore from the southeast around to the southwest is bordered by the Lake Region Mobile Home Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Hamilton (Florida)</span> Natural freshwater lake in Florida, and city of Lake Hamilton

Lake Hamilton is somewhat round with a large cove at its northwest edge. It also has a peninsula, sometimes called Bonars Island, on its north side that juts about 2,000 feet (610 m) south into the lake. During times of high water levels this peninsula becomes a large island. Lake Hamilton has a surface area of 2,184-acre (8,840,000 m2). One large island is in the south-central part of the lake; it measures 1,410 feet (430 m) long by 1,060 feet (320 m) wide. Another large island is near the northeast shore of Lake Hamilton; it measures 825 feet (251 m) long by 470 feet (140 m) wide. At least two small islands are also within Lake Hamilton.

Lake Cannon, an almost round lake, has a surface area of 333-acre (1,350,000 m2). Lake Cannon is in a highly urbanized area. On the north shore is a some vacant land and the Boys Club is also on the north shore. The rest of the lake is surrounded by residential areas. About 300 feet (91 m) to the lake's east is Lake Mirror and 500 feet (150 m) to the southeast is Lake Howard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Lake Hamilton</span> Natural freshwater lake in Haines City, Florida

Little Lake Hamilton has a surface area of 367-acre (1,490,000 m2). Little Lake Hamilton is bordered by Haines City, Florida, on its north side and is almost bordered by the town of Lake Hamilton, Florida, on its south side. This lake is in places bordered by residences and in other places is bordered by woods and pastureland. It is east of Middle Lake Hamilton and is ironically much larger than that lake.

Engineers Lake, a small oval-shaped lake, has a surface area of 12.15-acre (49,200 m2). This lake is on the south side of Haines City, Florida, and is in a suburban area. It is bordered by residences, woods and grassland. It is 780 feet (240 m) north of Little Lake Hamilton.

Lake Hartridge, with somewhat of a figure eight shape, has a surface area of 433-acre (1,750,000 m2). This lake is on the north side of Winter Haven in Polk County, Florida. Most of the lake's west shore is bordered by residential areas. The northwest shore is bordered by woods. The north shore is bordered woods and clearings. The northeast is bordered by more clearings. The east central and southeast shores are bordered by woods and a few residences. At the very southeast corner is Aldora Park, a small public park. The south shore is bordered by a large church. On the southwest shore is Lake Hartridge Nature Park, a public park.

Lake Jessie, with somewhat of an oval shape, has a surface area of 189-acre (760,000 m2). This lake is on the northwest side of Winter Haven, Florida, and is just east of Auburndale, Florida. Residential areas border this lake from the northwest shore all the way south along the west shore, ending where the south shore of the lake meets the east shore of the lake. At this point a canal separates the residences from some woods on the southeast shore of Lake Jessie. These woods are on the edge of Winter Haven Municipal Airport. Airport property occupies the entire east and northeast shores of the lake. Jack Brown's Seaplane Base, on the northeast shore and a part of the airport uses the northeast shore of Lake Jessie for seaplane takeoffs and landings. Most of the north shore of the lake is bordered by more woods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Idylwild</span> Natural freshwater lake in Winter Haven, Florida

Lake Idylwild, which is round, has a surface area of 95.48-acre (386,400 m2). The lake has one small island, almost rectangular in shape, that measures 50 feet (15 m) by 45 feet (14 m). It is just north of a canal on the northwest side the leads to Lake Jessie. Lake Idylwild is on the northwest side of Winter Haven, Florida. Residential areas border this lake on the northeast and western shores. On the south side are various commercial buildings. A woody area borders the southeast shore and the northwest shore is bordered by a grassy area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Rochelle</span> Natural freshwater lake in Florida and Winter Haven, Florida

Lake Rochelle, of which the main body is oval-shaped, has a smaller oval-shaped cove on its east end. This lake has a surface area of 580-acre (2,300,000 m2). The lake is located just north of Winter Haven, Florida, but is located entirely within the city limits of Lake Alfred, Florida, the main part of which is on the lake's northwest side. On that side US Highway 92 is just beyond the lake's shore. Most of the north and west sides of Lake Rochelle are bordered by woods. The east and south sides are bordered by residences and grassland.

Lake Henry, a lake that borders on the northeast side of Winter Haven, Florida, has a surface area of 848-acre (3,430,000 m2). The southwest corner of the lake is inside the Winter Haven City limits. All of the south side of the lake is bordered by mobile home parks and housing developments. A part of the west side is bordered by a mobile home park, as is part of the north side of the lake. The rest of Lake Henry is bordered by wooded areas. The Polk County Water Atlas says Lake Henry is sometimes known as Lake Drane.

References

  1. 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-07-26. Retrieved 2013-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Howard, Lake". usf.edu. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 City of Winter Haven Memorandum, May 14, 2010, "Status of Nutrient Criteria / Impaired Waters in Winter Haven" http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/WinterHavenNutrientCriteriaMemoMay2010.pdf
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Naming of Lakes in Polk County",Joe Spann, Polk County Historical Library, Bartow, 2007, http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Naming%20of%20Polk%20Lakes.pdf
  5. ↑ "History". The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Interlaken Historic Residential District: Winter Haven, Florida Historical Places". Archived from the original on 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  7. ↑ "Best Places to Live in Winter Haven, Florida". Best Places. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.