Lake Osceola (Coral Gables) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Osceola |
|
|---|---|
 Lake Osceola
Location in Florida
|
|
| Location | University of Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida |
| Coordinates | 25°43′06″N 80°16′45″W / 25.7184°N 80.2793°W |
| Type | man-made lake |
Lake Osceola is a man-made, freshwater lake at the center of University of Miami's campus.
History
Lake Osceola was initially built as a canal to connect Biscayne Bay and surrounding bodies of water but was later developed into a lake following the University of Miami's construction in the late 1940s. Due to the lake's connection with Biscayne Bay and other natural bodies of water, wildlife began to inhabit following the initial migration of various species of fish and waterfowl.
Prior to the completion of the lake's construction in 1947, Lake Osceola was given its name in 1929 by University of Miami's Iron Arrow Honor Society in honor of Seminole tribe leader and significant Floridian historical figure, Osceola.
Ecosystem
Due to the lake's connection with Biscayne Bay, wildlife from the bay have continued to thrive in Lake Osceola's freshwater environment, including a number of fish, bird, and reptile species. While alligators and crocodiles are no longer present in Lake Osceola, manatees, turtles, ducks, ibis, snakes such as cottonmouths and multiple species of fish and bacteria continue to populate the lake.
Environmental Concerns
Due to a number of contributing factors (notably fertilizer runoff), Lake Osceola began experiencing issues with stratification stemming from algae infestations in the lower strata of the lake, resulting in decreasing oxygen levels and the death of numerous species of fish that had inhabited the lake since its creation. To combat decreasing oxygen levels and halt greater damage to the ecosystem, the university installed a fountain at the center of Lake Osceola to improve aeration and increase species diversification.
