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Okeechobee Waterway Click here for tips on navigating the Waterway |
Chart of the Waterway |
Lake Okeechobee is the second largest fresh water lake in the US. The lake covers over 730 square miles and is connected to both of Florida's coasts via the man made Okeechobee Waterway. The Lake is 33 miles wide from north to south, and 30 miles wide from east to west.
The Okeechobee Waterway was built in 1937 by the Army Corps of Engineers after two floods caused by hurricanes destroyed the areas surrounding the lake. A series of 5 locks helps boats through the 152 mile long waterway. The canal depth of the waterway is approx. 8 feet, and the width of the canal varies from 80 to 100 feet.
Many cruisers access the waterway from the ICW through Stuart, shortening their trip to the west coast of Florida and bypassing the Florida Keys.
Fishing and Camping are among the most popular activities on the Lake. Largemouth bass, blue gill, Okeechobee catfish, and black crappie are some of the species of fish that can be found in the Lake. Birds, beautiful scenery and the water all combine to make this a nature lover's paradise, as well as a mecca for boaters.
Operating hours are from 6 am to 9:30 pm daily, unless otherwise noted in Coast Guard published "Notice to Mariners." For current information on water depths, lockages and navigational routes, contact the Army Corps of Engineers at 904-232-3187 (Jacksonville District Office) or 941-983-8101 (South Florida Operations Office, Clewiston). There are five locks on the waterway (from east to west):
St. Lucie Lock 50 x 250 feet 561-287-2665
Port Mayaca Lock 56 x 400 feet rim canal 561-924-2858
Moore Haven Lock 50 x 250 feet open lake 941-946-0414
Ortona Lock 50 x 250 feet rim canal 941-675-0616
W.P. Franklin Lock 56 x 400 feet 941-694-5451
Atlantic Intracoastal to St. Lucie Lock 15.1 miles
St. Lucie Lock to Port Mayaca Lock 23.7 miles
Port Mayaca Lock to Moore Haven Lock
Via open lake, route 1 39.0 miles
Via rim canal, route 2 50.0 miles
Moore Haven Lock to Ortona Lock 15.5 miles
Ortona Lock to W.P. Franklin Lock 27.9 miles
W.P. Franklin Lock to Gulf Intracoastal 33.2 miles
| Belle Hatchee Marina, 121 Riverbend Dr., & Hwy 29 N, LaBelle. |
| Port Labelle Marina |
| Moore Haven Recreational Village, 102 Yacht Club Way, Moore Haven. |
| Okee-Tantie |
| Pahokee
Marine Campground & Recreation Area, 190
N Lake Avenue Pahokee. 561-924-7832 |
| Belle Glade, SR 717, Torry Island, on Lake Okeechobee. |
| Indiantown Marina, 16300 SW Famel Ave., on the Okeechobee Waterway, Indiantown. |
| W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (North) | 941-694-8870 |
| W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam (South) | 941-694-5451 |
| W.P. Franklin Visitor Center | 941-694-2582 |
| Alva Access Area, 17200 Josephine St. on the Caloosahatchee River, Alva. | |
| Alva Community Park, 21471 N. River Rd., Alva. | |
| Bob Mason or Labelle Lion's Club Park, SR 78 & SR 29, Caloosahatchee River, LaBelle. | |
| Belle Hatchee Marina, 121 Riverbend Dr., & Hwy 29 N, LaBelle. | |
| Port Labelle Marina | |
| Ortona Lock & Dam (North), off SR 80 & SR 78 on the Caloosahatchee River, Ortona. | 941-675-0616 |
| Moore Haven Recreational Village, 102 Yacht Club Way, Moore Haven. | |
| Sportsmans Village, off SR 78 on Lake Okeechobee, Moore Haven. | |
| Fisheating Creek | |
| Harney Pond Canal | |
| Bare Beach | |
| Indian Prairie Canal | |
| C. Scott Driver Jr. | |
| Okeechobee | |
| Taylor Creek | |
| Nubbin Slough | |
| Henry Creek | |
| Chancy Bay | |
| Port Mayaca Lock & Dam, SR 76 & US 441, on Lake Okeechobee, Port Mayaca. | 561-924-2858 |
| Canal Point | |
| Pahokee
Marine Campground & Recreation Area, 190
N Lake Avenue Pahokee. |
561-924-7832 |
| Belle Glade Marina & Campsites, SR 717, Torry Island, on Lake Okeechobee. | |
| South Bay Access Area, US 27 and Rim Canal, on Lake Okeechobee, South Bay. | |
| John Stretch Park, 47225 US 27 & SR 80 at Lake Okeechobee, Lake Harbor. | |
| Clewiston Park, Francisco St. & Lake Okeechobee Rd., on Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston. | |
| Liberty Point | |
| Alvin Ward Sr. Memorial Park, US 27 at Daniels Rd., Moore Haven. | |
| Indiantown Marina, 16300 SW Famel Ave., on the Okeechobee Waterway, Indiantown. | 561-597-2455, FAX: 561-597-2451 |
| St. Lucie Lock & Dam, off SR 76A, on the St. Lucie Canal, SW of Palm City. | 561-287-2665 |
| St. Lucie Visitor Center | 561-219-4575 |
| Phipps Martin County Park, 2175 SWLocks Rd. at Gregor Way. |
