#Lakes October 25

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Today’s Coach4aday post is on LAKES.

I grew up on Lake Road in Morristown NJ. That street got its name I’m sure because the lower half of the road crosses Speedwell Lake.

When it comes to which state in the US has the most LAKES, I was in a shock for who was number one.

Facts about US Lakes

Maybe like many I was sure that Minnesota has the most lakes. Despite its motto “Land of 10,000 Lakes” it is not number 1. For the purpose of defining what constitutes a lake here is the criteria. Natural, man-made, reservoirs, and oxbow all count. The majority in the Lower 48 States are man-made, they were created by damming rivers or other water sources. 

Here is the stunning answer and numbers that go with which state is truly at the top. Alaska has the most lakes, counting over 3 million, with nearly all of them being natural lakes across its vast wilderness. 

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.

The top five states are listed below.