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Jimmy T

Beach Fanatic
Apr 6, 2015
866
1,234
Unclogging Alligator Lake: FDEP doles out nearly $1.27 million

Walton County officials think it’s time to restore Alligator Lake’s natural flow.

Split by County Road 30A just west of Grayton Beach, the lake is divided into two sections. One is filled with brackish water and the other is “exclusively freshwater,” said Melinda Gates, the county’s coastal resource liaison.

She said the condition is caused by an obstructed culverts under 30A that connects the two sides of the lake.

With a more than $1.267 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the county plans to replace the “dilapidated culverts” with a bridge to bring some balance back to the lake.

“This proposed project will not only restore the natural connection and circulation of the lake and improve the lake community and adjacent ecosystems, but also improve water quality in the targeted lakes and enhance fish and wildlife habitat(s),” Gates wrote in an email.

According to information on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website provided by FDEP, the project will also make the lake more resilient and improve the long-term health of habitats in the area.

“The project will directly improve water quality in watersheds injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil pill by restoring hydrologic connections between the coastal and freshwater portions of Alligator Lake,” the website said.

In 2013 the county submitted a larger request to FDEP to use Deepwater Horizon funds to replace culverts at five local lakes, Gates said.

Since then, different funding sources have been used for the other lakes. She added that Alligator Lake’s restoration was only one piece of a “much larger” project.

Construction of the bridge is set to begin in October and finish next spring.

Gates also expects Walton to soon get additional funding from the FDEP for a septic-to-sewer project around the coastal dune lakes.

“I have not received the grant agreement yet, so I don’t have all the specifics ... but (it’s) definitely another great thing for our coastal dune lakes,” she said.
 
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jodiFL

Beach Fanatic
Jul 28, 2007
2,476
733
SOWAL,FL
Just saw a sign on 98 that said the bridge was closed between 83 and 283. Any one know which one and why?
 

Jimmy T

Beach Fanatic
Apr 6, 2015
866
1,234
Just saw a sign on 98 that said the bridge was closed between 83 and 283. Any one know which one and why?
Alligator Lake. They're replacing the culverts with a bridge. The signs are out, but I think the road is still open right now.
 

Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Threads merged with Jimmy's original post about Alligator Lake bridge construction. Thanks Jimmy!

_____________________

Scope of Work: This project includes the replacement of the existing culvert and pedestrian bridge at Alligator Lake on CR30A between CR83 and CR283. The existing culvert and bridge shall be demolished and removed during clearing and grubbing. A new, precast concrete bridge and supporting components will be installed, the roadway and multi-use path realigned, and new drainage facilities constructed.
 

Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
Walton County

CR 30A will be closed on Nov 12,2019 at 9:00 am for the construction of a new bridge at Alligator Lake. 30A will be closed to through traffic from CR 283 to CR 83 for the duration of the bridge construction. At this time, we anticipate a construction completion date of late February. During the construction activities, vehicular traffic will need to use the detour to US 98 via CR 283 and CR 83. The multi-use trail will be closed for the same duration of bridge construction. If you have questions, please contact Walton County Public Works at 850-892-8108.
 
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