Billys Lake

Billys Lake is a swamp in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is located within the Okefenokee Swamp in Charlton County and is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Billys Lake covers approximately 60 acres (24 ha). 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). 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. The swamp is lined with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, spatterdock, shining fetterbush, and holly. 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. The swamp has experienced significant droughts, drying up in 1860 and 1943. 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.

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