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
Lorida, Florida form of Florida. A post office was established under the name Istokpoga in 1924, and the name was changed to Lorida in 1937. Lorida, Florida Lorida is an unincorporated community in eastern Highlands County, Florida, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 98 between the cities of Sebring and Okeechobee. In addition to some light industry located along U.S. 98 corridor, Lorida and the surrounding area contains numerous fish camps and lodges on the north and east shore of Lake Istokpoga. Lorida was first named Istokpoga, a Seminole name, but it was afterwards changed because the U.S. postal authorities refused