Footage From Lake Jackson Revealed 12 Billion Gallons of Water Gone Overnight

Lake Jackson sits on karst limestone in northern Florida — 4,000 acres of surface water directly above the Floridan Aquifer. When conditions align, a sediment plug over a drainage feature called Porter Hole fails. The lake empties into the aquifer below. It's been happening every 15 to 25 years since at least 1823. The December 2025 event was different. Twelve billion gallons drained in less than 72 hours — faster than any previously recorded. Drone footage captured the vortex forming over the drainage point, the water level dropping hour by hour. The lake that was there in the morning was gone by the weekend