Digging out lake outlets to ocean on beaches

**graytonbaylee** · 07-05-2008, 07:41 PM

We have a house in Grayton Beach, and this is our first year in it... On Wednesday, some people were digging a "ditch" to let the lake run into the ocean. They finally got it deep enough to where the water from the lake came rushing like a raging river into the ocean! It made the water in the ocean brown and yucky. Are there any rules or regulations against this? If not, I feel that there should be! I fee bad for the people with houses/docks on the lakes when this happens b/c the lake was SO low. Just wondering... Thanks!

**Smiling JOe** · 07-05-2008, 07:46 PM

Yes, it is against the law to dig them open without a permit. You mention the homeonwers being upset, but ironically, it is often the homeowners who complain the most about it as their stationary docks are covered with water. Most have never heard of floating docks.

**jodiFL** · 07-05-2008, 11:28 PM

What is with the digging now days??? GAWD....first the holes on the beach and now opening the lakes just to watch them run into the gulf??? Are we being invaded by a bunch of dogs and rabbits and grave diggers that cant resist the urge even when on vacation??

Please let the sheriffs dept trucks know who is responsible and it might be a good idea to watch the video on the front page of this site that explains just how special, rare and endangered these lakes are.

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(that was all the POed smilies I could find)

**mikecatadjuster** · 07-06-2008, 12:06 AM

Yes, it seems like the homeowners would have the floating docks and would just let Mother Nature take her course. I am in love with the lakes and for me, the forest and the lakes are just a big a draw as the beautiful Gulf. The variety and abundance of life in this ecosystem is staggering. This is a paradise and one worth cherishing.

**jack S** · 07-06-2008, 06:11 AM

In the environment, you can never do just one thing. Everything you do has effects beyond your intentions. Digging out the drain of the dune lake, prevents the proper flushing that occurs when the waves break through naturally! That is one reason there is a fine attached to such behavior.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-06-2008, 08:32 AM

take photos of the diggers and call the cops, with proof.

**ShallowsNole** · 07-06-2008, 03:46 PM

As alluded to, it is not legal these days. That being said, "digging out the pass" was a regular event when I was young. Not by kids or vacationers, but by locals in order to lower or to infuse the lake with new water. I think most folks now know that it will eventually do what it needs to, naturally.

There is also a liability aspect - it is EXTREMELY dangerous to be standing between the mouth of the pass and the Gulf when it does break. From my childhood, I think I remember my dad and my uncle discussing someone losing their life when the pass broke. They got knocked over, hit their head, and drowned.

**BeachSiO2** · 07-07-2008, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

As alluded to, it is not legal these days. That being said, "digging out the pass" was a regular event when I was young. Not by kids or vacationers, but by locals in order to lower or to infuse the lake with new water. I think most folks now know that it will eventually do what it needs to, naturally.

There is also a liability aspect - it is EXTREMELY dangerous to be standing between the mouth of the pass and the Gulf when it does break. From my childhood, I think I remember my dad and my uncle discussing someone losing their life when the pass broke. They got knocked over, hit their head, and drowned.

It is very dangerous!! In most instances, the velocity of the water exiting a lake outlet in the beginning moments of opening far exceeds the speed or strength of a rip current.

**graytonbaylee** · 07-07-2008, 11:05 AM

I wish I had "caught" the idiots, but they ran away as soon as it broke. They knew what they had done was wrong! I will use this information for the future. Thank you for your help.

**TreeFrog** · 07-07-2008, 02:52 PM

There's a sign explaining the law against opening the lake outlet over here at Eastern Lake.

Who wants to guess whether any of the bozos digging out the lake opening for a thrill have bothered to read it?

**Jdarg** · 07-07-2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by graytonbaylee

I wish I had "caught" the idiots, but they ran away as soon as it broke. They knew what they had done was wrong! I will use this information for the future. Thank you for your help.

So is Western Lake open?

**graytonbaylee** · 07-07-2008, 09:13 PM

I am not familiar with the names of the lakes, as we are new to the Grayton Beach area, and just moved there in April. When I go running/biking on the path, I believe it says Red Fish lake? I know there is one in the area that says that...

I wish that signs would be put up, so that idiots wouldn't do this again!

**SWGB** · 07-07-2008, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by graytonbaylee

I am not familiar with the names of the lakes, as we are new to the Grayton Beach area, and just moved there in April. When I go running/biking on the path, I believe it says Red Fish lake? I know there is one in the area that says that...

I wish that signs would be put up, so that idiots wouldn't do this again!

Unfortunately signs in sand are a lot like houses in the same place, they generally disappear.