Lake Washington (Florida)
{{Short description| Lake in the state of Florida, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Lake Washington
| image = FL Lake Washington04.jpg
| caption =
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Brevard County, Florida
| coords = {{coord|28|09|10|N|80|44|34|W|type:waterbody_region:US-FL_source:gnis|display=inline}}
| type =
| inflow = St. Johns River
| outflow = St. Johns River
| catchment =
| basin_countries = United States
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|4362|acre|km2|2|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = {{convert|16|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| islands =
| cities =
| pushpin_map = Florida#USA
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Washington in Florida, USA.
| pushpin_map_caption =
| website =
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}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Lake Washington
| map = USA
| relief = 1
| map_caption = Lake Washington
| location = Brevard County, Florida,
United States
| nearest_city = Melbourne, Florida
| coords = {{coord|28|09|10|N|80|44|34|W|region:US|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|4362|acre|abbr=on}}
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = St. Johns Water Management District
}}
Lake Washington is the largest lake in Brevard County, Florida, United States, at {{convert|4362|acre|km2|2}}. The lake may have been named for the U.S. Deputy Surveyor Colonel Henry Washington, after he surveyed the area in 1844.Eriksen, John M. [http://johneriksen.net/bc/bc_cb.htm Brevard County, Florida : A Short History to 1955]. See Chapter Four
Hydrology
It is the 41st largest lake in the state of Florida. It is approximately {{convert|4|by|1|mi}} and {{convert|10|to|15|ft}} deep.{{cite web |url=http://www.melbourneflorida.org/watercon/water.htm |title= City of Melbourne's 2007 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |accessdate=May 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501010439/http://www.melbourneflorida.org/watercon/water.htm |archive-date=May 1, 2009 }}
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.{{Cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer | title=St. Johns lake health stagnates | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20121113/NEWS01/311130020| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1A, 3A | date=November 13, 2012 }}
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 {{convert|36|in}} in diameter.{{Cite news | first=Rick | last=Neale | title=Melbourne boil water alerts lifed; N. Waterway streets under advisory | newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida| pages= 2A | date=October 9, 2017 }}
It is one of the lakes that make up the St. Johns River system. Further downstream is the neighboring Lake Winder.
Economy
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
See also
{{commons-inline}}
- List of lakes of the St. Johns River
- Lake Winder, the next lake downstream
- Sawgrass Lake, the next lake upstream
Footnotes
{{Reflist}}
{{Rivers of Florida}}
{{authority control}}
{{BrevardCountyFL-geo-stub}}