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
Lake Josephine (Florida) Lake Josephine (Florida) Lake Josephine, which has three distinct bodies of water connected by narrow parts of the lake that are hardly wider than channels, has a total surface area of . Lake Josephine's south and west sides are bordered in most places by residential areas. The east shore is bordered by a mixture of residences and woods. The northeast shore is bordered by a part of Lake Josephine RV Resort and almost the entire north side of the lake is bordered by woods. Parts of the lake are swampy. Lake Josephine has public access at three public boat ramps,