Lake Harney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Harney |
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 Lake Harney
Location in Florida
Lake Harney
Location in the United States
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| Location | Volusia and Seminole Counties, Florida |
| Coordinates | 28°45′21″N 81°03′36″W / 28.755946°N 81.060003°W |
| Type | Flow-through lake |
| Primary inflows | St. Johns River, Black Cypress Swamp |
| Primary outflows | St. Johns River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | St. Johns River Water Management District |
| Max. length | 4.8 mi (7.7 km) |
| Max. width | 2.97 mi (4.78 km) |
| Surface area | 9 sq mi (23 km2) |
| Average depth | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Water volume | 14,465,351,103 US gal (44,400 acre⋅ft; 54.8 hm3) |
| Shore length1 | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Surface elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Islands | 2 islands and numerous islets, all along the shore |
| Settlements | Lake Harney Woods, an unincorporated community |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Harney is a cool lake in Florida. It's named after a famous general, William S. Harney. The lake sits right on the border between Volusia County and Seminole County, Florida.
The St. Johns River flows into Lake Harney. This river is very important in central Florida. It also connects to other nearby lakes, like Lake Monroe.
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The Story Behind Lake Harney's Name
Lake Harney got its name from General William S. Harney. He was a military leader who played a big part in Florida's history. William Selby Harney was born in Haysboro, Tennessee, on August 22, 1800.
Harney's Early Military Career
Harney joined the military on February 12, 1818. He started as a Second Lieutenant. He kept this rank during the First Seminole War. This war began after Andrew Jackson attacked a fort held by the Seminole people. Harney was good at his job. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on January 7, 1819.
Harney's Later Life and Legacy
Harney continued his military service for many years. After the Second Seminole War, he fought in the Mexican–American War. He also served during the Civil War. He retired as a General on August 1, 1863.
After retiring, he married a nurse. He lived in Pass Christian, Mississippi, for some time. General Harney passed away on May 9, 1889, in Orlando, Florida. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Many places are named in his honor. These include Harney Peak (now Black Elk Peak) in South Dakota. There's also Camp Harney in Zapata, Texas.
Animals of Lake Harney
Lake Harney is home to many different animals. You can find fish, reptiles, and lots of birds here. The lake is mostly fresh water. But it also has some salty springs in the area.
Fish and Birds in the Lake
The lake has many types of fish. These include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. These fish are food for the lake's birds. You might see bald eagles, osprey, and crested caracaras. Other birds include white ibis, wood storks, herons, and cranes. Cattle egrets, wild turkeys, and various ducks also live here.
Protecting Wildlife at Lake Harney
The Lake Harney Wilderness Area is a special protected place. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) watches over this area. They keep an eye on several bald eagle nests. This helps protect the eagles and other animals.
