Billys Lake is a swamp in the U.S. state of Georgia.[1] It is located within the Okefenokee Swamp in Charlton County and is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.[2]
| Billys Lake | |
|---|---|
  Billys Lake Location in Georgia  Billys Lake Billys Lake (the United States) | |
| Location | Charlton County, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 30°50′03″N 82°21′37″W / 30.83417°N 82.36028°W |
| Type | Swamp |
| Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 60 acres (24 ha) |
Surface elevation | 115 ft (35 m) |
Billys Lake covers approximately 60 acres (24 ha).[3] It features waterways initially 100 to 150 feet (30 to 46 m) wide, narrowing to 35 feet (11 m) near its western end, with average depths ranging from 2 to 10 feet (0.61 to 3.05 m).[4] Most of the 13-foot (4 m) drop in the swamp's surface elevation between east and west occurs between Billys Lake and Mixons Ferry.[2]
The swamp is lined with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, spatterdock, shining fetterbush, and holly.[4]
Billys Lake was named after Billy Bowlegs (Holata Micco), a leader of the Seminoles who led a community in the swamp during the early 19th century.[5]
The swamp has experienced significant droughts, drying up in 1860 and 1943.[2] Water levels in Billys Lake are influenced by the Suwannee River Sill, a structure built to stabilize water during dry periods, affecting a 10,000–15,000-acre area.[2]
Ecology
editBillys Lake features abundant vegetation such as Spanish moss, spatterdock, shining fetterbush (the principal understory species), and holly.[4] The swamp supports a diverse wildlife population, with an estimated 10,000–13,000 American alligators in the surrounding area.[4] It provides habitat for wildlife including large American alligators, herons, egrets, and barred owls.[6]
Access
editBillys Lake is accessible by boat from Stephen C. Foster State Park, via a 1,700-foot (520 m) canal.[4] The paddle across the swamp is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) one way, part of marked trails in the refuge.[4] It is an open area suitable for fishing and observing wildlife.[6]
References
edit- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Billys Lake
- 1 2 3 4 Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (PDF) (Report). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ↑ Okefenokee Watershed Resource Inventory and Assessment (PDF) (Report). WWALS Watershed Coalition. August 17, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Okefenokee Swamp Paddle Guide". Florida Paddle Notes. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ↑ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
- 1 2 "Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Guide" (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
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