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
Okeechobee County, Florida Okeechobee County, Florida Okeechobee County () is a county located in the state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 39,996. The county seat is Okeechobee. Okeechobee County comprises the Okeechobee, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie, FL Combined Statistical Area. Okeechobee County was incorporated in 1917. It was named for Lake Okeechobee, which was itself named for the Hitchiti words "oka" (water) and "chobi" (big). Historic buildings in Okeechobee County include: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land