| Lake Manatee | |
| Coords: | 27.4836°N -82.3288°W |
| Outflow: | Manatee River |
| Catchment: | 120sqmi |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Area: | 1174acres[1] |
| Max-Depth: | 11.2feet |
| Volume: | 5911e6USgal[2] |
| Elevation: | 39.1feet (2009) |
| 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 per day. Lake Manatee State Park is located on the south shore of the lake.
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.[3] The reservoir's dimensions consisted of about high and across, with a 100foot concrete spillway. The dam was completed on January 9, 1967.