{{short description|Lake in Florida, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Lake Manatee | image = Lake Manatee SP lake pano01.jpg | caption = | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Manatee County, Florida | coords = {{coord|27.4836|-82.3288|format=dms|type:waterbody_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}} | type = Reservoir | inflow = Manatee River | outflow = Manatee River | catchment = {{convert|120|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} | basin_countries = United States | date-built = {{start date|1965|10|23}} | length = | width = | area = {{convert|1174|acre|km2}}<ref name="WaterAtlas">{{cite web |title=Manatee, Lake: Overview & Current Conditions |url=http://www.manatee.wateratlas.usf.edu/lake/?wbodyatlas=lake&wbodyid=50000 |website=Manatee County Water Atlas |agency=Manatee County |publisher=University of South Florida Water Institute|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> | depth = | max-depth = {{convert|11.2|ft|abbr=on}} | volume = {{convert|5911|e6USgal|m3}}<ref name="USGS">{{Cite map |first1=Jason C. |last1=Bellino |first2=William R. |last2=Pfeiffer |year=2010 |title=Bathymetry of Lake Manatee, Manatee County, Florida, 2009 |series=Scientific Investigations Map, 3112 |publisher=USGS |oclc=618229629}}</ref> | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|39.1|ft|abbr=on}} (2009)<ref name="USGS"/> | cities = | pushpin_map = USA Florida | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_map_caption = Location of lake in the state of Florida }} '''Lake Manatee''' is an artificial reservoir located in Manatee County, Florida. State Road 64 crosses the eastern end of the lake, while the Lake Manatee State Park is found at the southwestern end. The Manatee River flows into the lake at the eastern end, then continues to the west, where it flows into Tampa Bay. Lake Manatee is a major source of water for Bradenton and other cities in Manatee County, providing {{convert|32|e6usgal}} per day. Lake Manatee State Park is located on the south shore of the lake.
==History== Discussion of building a reservoir in Manatee County started in the 1950s. In 1951, the Manatee County Commission passed a resolution indicating interest in building a dam at an existing deep ravine east of the Rye Road bridge. Construction of the Lake Manatee reservoir broke ground on October 23, 1965.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Dale |last1=White |date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=August 27, 2021 |title=Lake Manatee marks 50 years of quenching thirsts |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20151023/News/605204604 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025}}</ref> The reservoir's dimensions consisted of about {{convert|50|feet}} high and {{convert|4510|feet}} across, with a {{convert|100|foot|adj=on}} concrete spillway. The dam was completed on January 9, 1967.
==References== {{Reflist}} <!-- Why are these refs needed? *''The Road Atlas '06'', Rand McNally, pg. 25 *Peterson, Lindsay. 1990. Manatee River. in Marth, Del and Marty Marth, eds. ''The Rivers of Florida''. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. {{ISBN|0-910923-70-1}}.-->
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Manatee}} Category:Reservoirs in Florida Category:Lakes of Manatee County, Florida
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