Lake Washington (Florida)

Lake Washington is the largest lake in Brevard County, Florida at 4,362 acres (17.65 km2). The lake may have been named for the U.S. Deputy Surveyor Colonel Henry Washington, after he surveyed the area in 1844.[1]

Lake Washington
Location of Lake Washington in Florida, USA.
Location of Lake Washington in Florida, USA.
Lake Washington
Location of Lake Washington in Florida, USA.
Location of Lake Washington in Florida, USA.
Lake Washington
LocationBrevard County, Florida
Coordinates28°09′10″N 80°44′34″W / 28.15278°N 80.74278°W / 28.15278; -80.74278
Primary inflowsSt. Johns River
Primary outflowsSt. Johns River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area4,362 acres (17.65 km2)
Surface elevation16 ft (4.9 m)
Lake Washington
Map showing the location of Lake Washington
Map showing the location of Lake Washington
Lake Washington
LocationBrevard County, Florida,
United States
Nearest cityMelbourne, Florida
Coordinates28°09′10″N 80°44′34″W / 28.15278°N 80.74278°W / 28.15278; -80.74278
Area4,362 acres (1,765 ha)
Governing bodySt. Johns Water Management District

Hydrology

edit

It is the 41st largest lake in the state of Florida. It is approximately 4 by 1 mile (6.4 by 1.6 km) and 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 4.6 m) deep.[2]

Located adjacent to the City of Melbourne, it is the single most important source of fresh water for the city and the surrounding areas. It furnishes two-thirds of the water to Melbourne's 150,000 customers.[3]

The John A. Buckley Surface Water Treatment Plant is located nearby. It is owned by the City of Melbourne and furnishes it, and other cities, with potable water. The water main is 36 inches (910 mm) in diameter.[4]

It is one of the lakes that make up the St. Johns River system. Further downstream is the neighboring Lake Winder.

Economy

edit

Exit 183 off Interstate 95 provides access to the lake.

At the dead end of Lake Washington Road is Lake Washington Park, where boating is permitted. The park contains a playground and pavilions for parties.

Nearby cities

edit

See also

edit

  Media related to Lake Washington (Florida) at Wikimedia Commons

Footnotes

edit
  1. ^ Eriksen, John M. Brevard County, Florida : A Short History to 1955. See Chapter Four
  2. ^ "City of Melbourne's 2007 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report". Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  3. ^ Waymer, Jim (November 13, 2012). "St. Johns lake health stagnates". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 1A, 3A.
  4. ^ Neale, Rick (October 9, 2017). "Melbourne boil water alerts lifed; N. Waterway streets under advisory". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 2A.