Lake Osborne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Osborne |
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 Lake Osborne
Location in Florida
Lake Osborne
Location in the United States
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| Location | Palm Beach County, Florida |
| Coordinates | 26°35′43″N 80°04′42″W / 26.5953°N 80.0783°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Average depth | 6.8 ft (2.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
| Settlements | Lake Worth |
Lake Osborne is a large freshwater lake in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. It covers about 378 acres (153 hectares). This lake is part of a group of natural lakes found along the coast of Florida.
Lake Osborne is located just west of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of a large area called the C-16 drainage basin, which is about 40,031 acres (16,200 hectares). Several canals flow into Lake Osborne. The lake then drains into the Lake Worth Lagoon through other canals.
The lake has John Prince Memorial Park on its western side. The city of Lake Worth borders the lake to the east.
Contents
How People Changed Lake Osborne
Over time, human activities have greatly changed Lake Osborne. People have used dredging (digging up the lake bottom) and filling to create land for homes and buildings. Some lakes in this system were completely filled in.
This digging and filling likely happened when canals were built, possibly as early as the 1920s. More dredging took place in the 1960s and 1970s. This changed the size and shape of the lake.
Water Quality and Health
The water quality in Lake Osborne has faced challenges. However, it has improved since wastewater was stopped from flowing into the lake over 20 years ago.
Still, the lake faces a problem called Eutrophication. This happens when too many nutrients enter the water. These nutrients come from stormwater and runoff from farms, yards, and streets. More than 24 pipes that carry stormwater are located near Lake Osborne.
Impact on Lake Life
The lake's natural habitat has been affected by urban growth. Also, many non-native plants, fish, and mollusks have moved into the lake. These new species can harm the lake's natural ecosystem.
Why Lake Osborne is Important
Lake Osborne is very important to Palm Beach County. It helps manage stormwater and stores water for people to use.
The lake is also valued for its beauty and the fun activities it offers. Many people enjoy boating and fishing here. There are also many activities to do along the shore.
Recreation and Nature
John Prince Memorial Park is located along the western side of Lake Osborne. It is a great place for ecotourism. Visitors can enjoy nature and learn about the lake's ecosystem.
Plants and Animals of Lake Osborne
Due to development, the natural plant areas along the lake's edges, called littoral zones, have become much smaller. The lake's shorelines are mostly bare sand, mowed grass, or covered with non-native plants.
John Prince Park keeps most of its shoreline looking like a lawn. In the water, non-native plants like water lettuce, water hyacinth, hydrilla, and Hygrophila are a problem. These plants are often treated with special chemicals to control them.
Fish Populations
With the loss of natural water habitats, the types of fish in the lake are changing. There are now more "rough" fish species, such as Tilapia.
