The Everglades: A History of Failed Drainage Attempts

Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake, is only nine feet deep and home to 30,000 alligators. This article recounts the numerous failed attempts to drain the Florida Everglades, from 19th-century land reclamation schemes to a 20th-century plan for a massive airport. These efforts not only damaged the ecosystem but also caused devastating floods and societal losses. The shallowness of Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades' history of flooding highlight the folly of human attempts to control nature and underscore the importance of environmental protection.