Is it true that Paynes Prairie was once a lake?
Yes, Paynes Prairie was once known as Alachua Lake! From 1873 to 1891 Paynes Prairie was one huge lake originating at Alachua Sink. This sink funnels water down into the Floridan aquifer. The sink apparently became plugged and in 1873 there was enough water on the prairie for boats to travel. People became used to the 3 to 5 foot deep lake and even employed steamers to haul citrus from Micanopy to Gainesville. Alachua Lake persisted for about eighteen years and then her levels fell, gradually for a couple of years and then, finally, the sink (which was deeper than the rest of lake) drained at the rate of 8 feet in only 10 days! Initially, there were great fish fries which were followed a few days later by tremendous stench as thousands of stranded fish rotted.
