#Lakes March 12

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March 2026 marks the 75th consecutive month that Jeff Neelon, Jaclyn Donovan, and I have completed a 30-Day Coach4aday Challenge. For this milestone month, we’ve chosen to focus on teaching. Each day for 30 days, we will share one lesson, principle, or insight gained from the previous 74 challenges—calling it the 30-Day Coach4aday Teach It Challenge. For each of us we believe that our own personal growth increases when we share it. Today it is a lesson on LAKES.

Revisiting a post, I composed in October 2022 on which US State had the most lakes. When I researched this four years ago, I was surprised by what I learned. First almost 50% of lakes found in the Lower 48 States are man-made, they were created by damming rivers or other water sources. 

“Teach It” 30 Day Challenge Guidelines

In past challenges, we invited others to join us, though participation has been limited. This month, the three of us will return to January 2020—the very beginning—and move forward to the present, reflecting along the way and sharing a life lesson or insight from any month with one another.

Here is how we will do it.

1. Identify the principle, insight, or lesson from a previous 30-Day Challenge-identify the Challenge also.
2. Teach that lesson to each of us.
3. Share the conversation by posting on social media with the hashtag #Coach4adayChallenge

Day 12-Lakes in the United States

Maybe like many I was sure that Minnesota has the most lakes. Despite its motto “Land of 10,000 Lakes” it is not number one.

Here is the surprising answer—and the numbers behind which U.S. state truly tops the list. Alaska has the most lakes, with more than 3 million spread across its vast wilderness, the overwhelming majority of which are natural lakes.

Over those 3 million there are only 3,100 that have been named. The largest lake in Alaska is Lake Iliamna. Lake Superior is the only freshwater body larger than Iliamna.

When it comes to named lakes, the award goes to Florida. The Sunshine State has over 30,000 with a name. In Florida a majority of their lakes are human-made often a result of building infrastructure, particularly in residential areas to assist in flood control. Despite being man-made they still have alligators.

The top eight states can be found at this link.