Lake Rousseau
Encyclopedia
Lake Rousseau is a reservoir
on the Withlacoochee River
in central Florida
, USA, on the boundary of Levy County
to the north-west, Marion County
to the north-east, and Citrus County
to the south. It was created in the 1920s when the river was dammed.
The lake is about 35 miles (55 km) west of Ocala and 10 miles (15 km) east from the Gulf Coast
. As well as forming part of the Withlacoochee River, it is also fed by the Rainbow River
and Lake Panasoffkee to the east. It is approximately twelve miles long by one mile wide, covering an area of c. 3,700 acres (15 km²). To the west is part of the uncompleted Cross Florida Barge Canal
leading to the Gulf.
The lake forms the centerpiece for the Lake Rousseau State Recreation Area and Campground.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
on the Withlacoochee River
Withlacoochee River (South)
The Withlacoochee River originates in central Florida's Green Swamp, east of Polk City. It flows west, then north, and then turns northwest and finally west again before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico near Yankeetown. The river is long and has a drainage basin of...
in central Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, USA, on the boundary of Levy County
Levy County, Florida
Levy County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 34,450. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 37,998. Its county seat is Bronson, Florida. Levy is pronounced lee vee.- History :...
to the north-west, Marion County
Marion County, Florida
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat is Ocala....
to the north-east, and Citrus County
Citrus County, Florida
Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 141,416 . Its county seat is Inverness, Florida...
to the south. It was created in the 1920s when the river was dammed.
The lake is about 35 miles (55 km) west of Ocala and 10 miles (15 km) east from the Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast of the United States
The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States...
. As well as forming part of the Withlacoochee River, it is also fed by the Rainbow River
Rainbow River
The Rainbow River is located in Dunnellon, Florida, USA, in the southwest corner of Marion County, about southwest of Ocala, northwest of Orlando and north of the Tampa Bay area. It is formed by a first-magnitude spring that is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge...
and Lake Panasoffkee to the east. It is approximately twelve miles long by one mile wide, covering an area of c. 3,700 acres (15 km²). To the west is part of the uncompleted Cross Florida Barge Canal
Cross Florida Barge Canal
The Cross Florida Barge Canal was a canal project to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean across Florida for barge traffic. Two sections were built but the project was cancelled, mainly for environmental reasons. It is now a protected green belt corridor, one mile wide...
leading to the Gulf.
The lake forms the centerpiece for the Lake Rousseau State Recreation Area and Campground.