Discover the mystery behind the world's roundest natural lake

Kingsley Lake is distinctive for its unusual circular shape .

When we think of lakes, we immediately think of bodies of water in all shapes and sizes. However, Kingsley Lake in Clay County, Florida, USA breaks the basic rules of nature by being unusually round.

Kingsley Lake breaks the basic rules of nature, with its unusual circular shape. (Photo: Getty).

Perfection to the extreme

When it comes to roundness, you won't find a more round natural body of water than Kingsley Lake, according to Earth.

Documents describe Kingsley Lake as approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) in diameter, with a surface area of ​​approximately 2,000 acres (810 ha). It is considered the deepest and oldest lake in northern Florida.

Additionally, the elevation of 53.7 meters above sea level also makes Kingsley Lake one of the highest lakes in Florida.

Kingsley Lake on Google Maps. (Photo: Google).

Many people believe that to get such a round shape, Kingsley Lake may have been modified in its original structure. However, in reality, this lake is completely untouched by humans .

Throughout history, Kingsley Lake has been a completely natural body of water . It is theorized that the lake formed as a sinkhole. However, there are also opinions that the lake may be the result of a more common geological phenomenon.

Regardless of how it was formed, oddities have always been associated with Kingsley Lake. In addition to its almost perfect circular shape, the lake has had a water level that has remained virtually constant for centuries.

This is considered extremely unusual for the Florida region, where rainfall fluctuates significantly throughout the year.

According to a 2014 study, there are about 50 lakes in North Florida, and most of them have an average water level fluctuation of about 20 feet per year. Only Kingsley Lake has fluctuated less than 3 feet since it was first recorded in 1945.

According to the Florida Geological Survey, the reason Kingsley Lake remains at a relatively constant level is because it has an efficient surface drainage system that can easily divert excess floodwater from the lake to surrounding areas.

In addition, the possession of many shallow water areas makes it convenient to replenish the lake water, creating an almost absolute balance between the amount of water gained and lost by the lake.

Many challenges to maintain lake water quality

Litter is a serious problem that can negatively impact water quality and the ecosystem at Kingsley Lake. (Photo: Getty).

Considered a geological and historical wonder , Kingsley Lake has been an important part of the Florida landscape for nearly two centuries since its formation. The lake has also been closely associated with the lives of indigenous people for hundreds of years, although it was originally designed as a source of water for residential areas.

However, Kingsley Lake has now gradually transformed itself into a famous tourist destination, always associated with activities such as swimming, beach bathing, boating, fishing, partying. It is estimated that Kingsley Lake attracts an average of 120,000 tourists each year.

This has put the lake at risk of serious water quality and ecosystem degradation due to waste pollution. The alarming amount of non-biodegradable materials such as aluminum cans, plastic, glass. prompted the Kingsley Lake Property Owners Association to raise the alarm in 2015.

State and federal agencies are working to conserve Kingsley Lake through scientific research and monitoring programs. (Photo: Scitechdaily).

The impact is enormous, as Kingsley Lake was originally classified as an oligotrophic lake due to its clear water, sandy bottom, and very low plant/animal production. It is estimated that approximately 20% of Florida's lakes fall into this category.

Kingsley Lake currently provides habitat for endangered and threatened species, including bald eagles, indigo snakes, and Florida black bears. However, invasive plants and animals can outcompete native species for resources.

This leads to a loss of biodiversity and is likely to cause irreversible damage to the environment in the area, according to researchers.

In addition, fertilizers from agricultural lands and rainwater carrying pollutants from urban areas are playing a role in the deterioration of water quality.

This can harm aquatic flora and fauna and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. It can even affect the health of people visiting the lake.