How Dangerous Are Florida Lakes

Florida is home to thousands of lakes. While lakes may seem like great places to swim and relieve the heat, they also pose risks of danger. No lake is 100% safe. Even the best swimmers can grow tired and accidentally drown. Florida is the 3rd highest state with the most drownings in school-aged children. According to the CDC, there are 2.2 unintentional drowning deaths per 100,000 in Florida. But does this mean Florida lakes are dangerous? Follow along to learn the answer to how dangerous are Florida lakes.

Are Florida Lakes Dangerous?

Florida lakes aren’t necessarily dangerous, but there are risks when swimming or walking along lakes. Sadly, in the state, drownings are common. However, most drowning cases are on beaches or in pools, rarely lakes. This doesn’t mean though that it’s safe to swim in all Florida lakes. Florida also has a wide range of wildlife, some of which can be dangerous.

Apart from accidental drownings, alligator attacks also happen. However, they are rare. Still, it’s best to avoid entering a body of water with alligators as they have powerful bite forces and can be territorial. Also in Florida lakes are cottonmouths, which are venomous. Cottonmouths, also called water moccasins are about 2.5 to 6 feet long. Although venomous, only about 2 to 4 people get bitten each year in the United States. Biting is a last resort. To defend themselves, these large snakes open their mouths, showing their teeth and white lining.

Do People Swim in Florida Lakes?

Swim at your own discretion. Not all Florida lakes allow swimming. If you do choose to swim in a Florida lake, make sure to choose one with a designated swimming area or beach. Some of the best Florida lakes for swimming are Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake George, and Lake Stella. Even if the water looks clear though, take a look around to see if you can view signs of alligators. Water quality is also important. Some lakes in Florida aren’t safe to swim because they may contain Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba.

The Most Dangerous Lakes in Florida

It’s difficult to determine which lakes in this state are the most dangerous. There is always a chance of drowning or animal attacks in any lake in Florida. However, a few lakes have had more recent cases. Follow along to discover some dangerous lakes in the state. It’s important to note that this is objective. Any lake can be dangerous. Most drowning incidents are preventable.

Lake Eloise

The first lake on our list is Lake Eloise in Winter Haven, Florida. This large natural freshwater lake in Polk County, Florida has a surface area of 1,174 acres. This lake is about 1.92 miles long and 1.31 miles wide. Lake Eloise is not on public property. Instead, private residences surround the shoreline, meaning there are no marked swimming areas. So, why did this lake make our list? Sadly, twin boaters drowned in the lake in 2023. Orlando Ortiz and Jeffrey Marrero jumped into the lake to help Vlecky Velasquez who was struggling in the water after anchoring the boat incorrectly. The boat through drifted away from the three. Velasquez and the boat, with Marrero’s children, were rescued.

Seven Seas Lagoon

Not all fatalities revolving around lakes though are the fault of drowning. In the Seven Seas Lagoon in 2016, a two-year-old child was attacked and killed by an alligator. The child was in the lake and although the parents attempted to save their child, his body was found the following day near the location of the incident. Although this was the only attack in the Seven Seas Lagoon, it isn’t the first alligator spotted in the lake. The Seven Seas Lagoon is a man-made lake at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake. Disney now removed alligators reported in bodies of water near or on their properties and has added warning signs.

Lake Cannon

Another fatal alligator attack occurred in Lake Cannon in Winter Haven. The lake has a surface area of 333 acres and is about 4,585 feet long and 4,085 feet wide. The average depth of Lake Canon is 13 feet while the maximum depth is 16 feet. No designated swimming areas are on Lake Cannon. So, what happened here? In 2001, a 2-and-a-half-year-old girl was attacked and dragged into the water by an alligator in Lake Cannon. She wandered from her backyard to the lake. Although not in the same area, in the same year, two other fatal alligator attacks happened.