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
Hendry County, Florida Hendry County, Florida Hendry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 39,140. Its county seat is LaBelle. Hendry County comprises the Clewiston, Fla. Micropolitan Statistical Area. Hendry County was created in 1923. It was named for Captain Francis A. Hendry, a Florida cattle rancher, politician, and officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (3.1%) is water. The county borders Lake Okeechobee; the Lake Okeechobee Scenic