Lake Howard (Winter Haven, Florida)

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Lake Howard
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Lake Howard
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Lake Howard
Location Polk County, Florida
Coordinates 28°1′26.34″N81°44′38.58″W / 28.0239833°N 81.7440500°W / 28.0239833; -81.7440500 [1]
Type natural freshwater lake
Primary outflows Peace River
Basin  countriesUnited States
Max. length1.25 miles (2.01 km)
Max. width1.03 miles (1.66 km)
Surface area624 acres (253 ha)
Average depth10.9 feet (3.3 m)
Max. depth18.7 feet (5.7 m)
Water volume2,270,506,840 US gallons (8.5948033×109 L) gallons
Surface elevation131 feet (40 m)
Settlements Winter Haven, 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. [2] 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. [3] Lake Howard has a surface area of 624 acres. [4] It has a mean depth of 10.9 feet (3.3 m), and maximum depth of 18.7 feet (5.7 m). [5]

Contents

History

View of Lake Howard. Lake Howard NW View.png
View of Lake Howard.

The Calusa were the first known people to live along this lake. The Seminole were later known to live and hunt along the lake. [6] Lake Howard was first surveyed by Dr. John Westcott in 1849. He named the lake for his neighbors in Madison County, Florida, the Howard family. [7] The lake, with its current name, appears in the first United States government maps of the area, published in 1854. [8]

Lake Howard became one of the first areas to be settled by newly arriving American and European settlers. Some of the oldest homes in the city of Winter Haven are located on the shores of Lake Howard. Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church, located on the north-east side of the lake, is one of the oldest buildings in Winter Haven. [9] On the north side of Lake Howard is the residential neighborhood of Interlaken. This neighborhood is a designated U.S. Historic District, with over 50 homes on the National Register of Historic Places. [10]

Water Quality

By the late 1960s, Lake Howard started to become polluted. The single biggest problem was that over-flow capacity lines for the Jan Phyll Village Waste Water Treatment Facility, which fed directly into Lake Howard. [11] This meant that raw sewage was periodically sent directly into the lake. This problem was corrected in 1977, when the waste facility was re-designed. In 1980, an important restoration study was done on Lake Howard to improve the water quality. [12] Over the preceding years, many other major scientific studies were conducted on Lake Howard, often building upon work done in previous studies. In 1995, Dr T.J. Whitmore conducted a major paleolimnological study on Lake Howard. By examining sediment core samples, he was able to evaluate historical changes in water levels and water quality in Lake Howard. [13] Today, through conservation and restoration efforts, by the city, state, and federal government, the water quality of Lake Howard continues to improve. However, rapid urbanization around the lake threatens its future health.

Great Blue Heron on the shore of Lake Howard. Great Blue Heron on Lake Howard.jpg
Great Blue Heron on the shore of Lake Howard.

Nearby Locations

Lake Howard is situated relatively close to the downtown area of Winter Haven. Lake Howard Drive, which circles the lake, is a busy thoroughfare in the city. The lake is surrounded by both residential and commercial properties. There are two public boats ramps which can be used to access the lake. The Lake Howard Boat Ramp West is located at the corner of Lake Howard Drive and Avenue B NW, and has a boat ramp and a fishing pier. [14] Lake Howard Boat Ramp East is located at the corner of Lake Howard Drive and West Central Avenue, and has a boat ramp, fishing pier, parking area, and picnic area. [15]

South Lake Howard Nature Park

South Lake Howard Nature Park is located on the south-west side of Lake Howard. [16] The park is an important role in the restoration of the ecology and water quality of Lake Howard. It is also plays an important role in the reclamation of natural wetlands within the city of Winter Haven. The park has multi-use trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. [17] The park also has a wooden boardwalk running over the wetlands, which provides a good vantage point for observing local wildlife. [18] Great blue heron, green heron, great egret, snowy egret, osprey, grackle, and red-winged blackbird are a few of the many bird species regularly seen on the lake. Bald eagles are occasionally seen on the Lake. The lake supports a healthy population of alligators and other reptiles and amphibians. Lake Howard is also known as a world class location with fresh water fishing, particularly for large mouth bass and bluegill. [19] The Chain of Lakes Trail, a paved multi-use hiking and biking trail, begins here.

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. It is located about 51 miles (82 km) east of Tampa and about 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Orlando, with neighboring Lakeland located to its west. 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.

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

Lake Silver is a natural freshwater lake located in central Winter Haven, Florida. This lake has a 51.73-acre (209,300 m2) surface area and is completely surrounded by offices, clinics, and residential areas. The lake, almost circular in shape, is surrounded on three sides by North and South Lake Silver Drive. Lake Silver Drive on the east side is also part of 1st Street North. Lake Silver is surrounded by public land on all but its south and northwest shores. On the east side, 1st Street is only about 10 feet (3.0 m) away. On the north, North Lake Silver Drive is about 20 feet (6.1 m) away. On the entire west and southwest sides is parkland. Directly across 1st Street, to the southeast, is the Winter Haven Hospital campus. Beyond the housing to the south and across South Lake Silver Drive is the main campus of Gessler Clinic.

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 Martha, oval in shape, is in the west-central part of Winter Haven, Florida. Lake Martha Drive surrounds two-thirds of the lake's perimeter. Lake Martha has a 84.38-acre (341,500 m2) surface area. On the northeast is a public park and boat ramp and across the street from this park is the Winter Haven campus of Polk State College. Winter Haven Hospital is on the lake's west side and a public park is at the southwest side of the lake. Residential housing surrounds the rest of the lake.

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. 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.

Lake Shipp is located on the Chain of Lakes in Winter Haven, Florida. It is almost round in shape. This lake is a natural freshwater lake with a 276-acre (1,120,000 m2) surface area. This lake is bordered on the north, northwest and the southwest sides by residential areas. On the east and part of the southeast are warehouses and business buildings. William G. Roe Park is on the southeast shore and Sertoma Park, officially called Lake Shipp Park, is on the west side of Lake Shipp.

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.

Lake Maude is an oval-shaped lake on the north side of Winter Haven, Florida. It has a surface area of 54.83-acre (221,900 m2). On its north and west sides, Lake Maude is bordered by residential areas. On its entire east side is Lake Maude Nature Park and on the south Lake Maude is bordered by Avenue O Northeast.

Lake May, a wedge-shaped lake, is a natural freshwater lake in southwest Winter Haven, Florida. This lake has a 49.07-acre (198,600 m2) surface area. It is bounded on the east and northeast by vacant land, on the northwest by commercial property, on the west and most of the south by vacant land and on the east and southeast by more commercial property. Much of the shore around the lake is lined by swampy areas.

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.

Spring Lake, an oval-shaped lake, has a surface area of 24.19-acre (97,900 m2). Spring Lake is in a highly urbanized area. On the north shore is a retail area, US Highway 17 is on its east side. Apartment buildings are on the south side of the lake. A wooded area is on the west; about 200 feet (61 m) to Spring Lake's west is Lake Mirror.

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.

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.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Echo (Polk County, Florida)</span> Natural lake in Florida, U.S.

Lake Echo, which is almost round, has a surface area of 68.92-acre (278,900 m2). Lake Echo is inside the city of Lake Alfred, Florida. The north and east shores and part of the south shore are bordered by residences. The west and southwest shores are bordered by citrus groves. The southeast shore is bordered by a wooded area. Lake Cummings is 360 feet (110 m) west of Lake Echo.

Lake Hunter, a pear-shaped lake, has a surface area of 93 acres (380,000 m2). This lake is inside Lakeland, Florida, and the area surrounding it is completely urbanized. It is bordered on the northeast by residences and the Lake Hunter Boat Ramp. On the lakes's north and west it is bordered by Sikes Boulevard and on the south and southeast by Lake Hunter Drive. The Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District borders the lake along Sikes Boulevard.

Banana Lake or is a 268-acre (1,080,000 m2) natural freshwater lake in southeast Lakeland, Florida. Before 1860 this lake was called Mud Lake. A family homesteaded at the lake and planted bananas, amongst other types of fruit. By 1890 the lake was known by its current name. Banana Lake is in a suburban area. Residential areas and agricultural areas surround it. To the southwest 200 feet (61 m) is Little Banana Lake. Lake Stahl is 400 feet (120 m) to the northwest. Just to the north of Lake Stahl is the Sanlan Golf Course, which also borders Banana Lake.

Reedy Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the east side of Frostproof, Florida. Residences and citrus groves surround much of this lake. This lake has no public swimming areas. The city of Frostproof has a public fishing pier and it operates Henderson Field nearby. A public boat ramp also exists at Frostproof.

Lake Clinch is a natural freshwater lake on the west side of Frostproof, Florida. Residences surround much of this lake. This lake has a public beach area with roofed picnic tables, it also has a public boat ramp on the southwest side of Frostproof. The city of Frostproof has a public park on its eastern shore.

References

  1. ↑ "Lake Howard". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved Jan 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Lake Howard - Polk County Water Atlas".
  3. ↑ "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)
  4. ↑ "Lake Howard - Polk County Water Atlas".
  5. ↑ "Lake Howard - Polk County Water Atlas".
  6. ↑ "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
  7. ↑ "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
  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
  9. ↑ "Property Search".
  10. ↑ "Interlaken Historic Residential District: Winter Haven, Florida Historical Places". Archived from the original on 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  11. ↑ http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/WinterHavenChainOfLakesSWIMplan_1998.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  12. ↑ http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/WinterHavenChainOfLakesSWIMplan_1998.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  13. ↑ http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/WinterHavenChainOfLakesSWIMplan_1998.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  14. ↑ "Parks, Recreation & Culture".
  15. ↑ "Parks, Recreation & Culture".
  16. ↑ "Parks, Recreation & Culture".
  17. ↑ "Parks, Recreation & Culture".
  18. ↑ "Florida Communities Trust Parks Directory - Florida Department of Community Affairs". Archived from the original on 2013-06-20. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  19. ↑ "Winter Haven Chain of Lakes".
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