Lake Okeechobee Valley and the Everglades. The trough is underlain by clay deposits that compacted more than the limestone and sand deposits did along both coasts of peninsular Florida. Until about 6,000 years ago, the trough was dry land. As the sea level rose, the water table in Florida also rose and rainfall increased. From 6,000 to 4,000 years ago, wetlands formed building up peat deposits. Eventually the water flow into the area created a lake, drowning the wetlands. Along what is now the southern edge of the lake, the wetlands built up the layers of peat rapidly enough (reaching thick) to
River Lake (Winter Haven, Florida) River Lake (Winter Haven, Florida) River Lake is a Y-shaped natural freshwater lake on the southeast side of Winter Haven, Florida. It has a surface area. This lake is as much a swamp as a lake, since at least half the surface area is covered with swampy vegetation. On the north and west residences line the lake's shore. On the southwest is a wooded area and on the south is a grove of citrus trees. To the east is a swampy area. Just to the east of this is a natural freshwater pond. There is no public access to this