I know the lake connects itself from time to time as Mother Nature does its thing but just about every year we're here some folks take it upon themselves to dig out a channel to connect the lake to the ocean. It makes for some dramatic whitewater for about five minutes but it ruined the natural swimming hole for all the small kids and really uglies up the beach for everyone else. Is it legal to do this? I would think not as the county works hard to make sure people interfere with nature as little as possible here.
The county does not work hard to prevent people from doing things that damage our environment. There are some laws on the book (mostly state) but enforcement is lacking, especially against tourists and Sundays and holidays.
Not only is it not legal, but anyone seeing them do it should immediately call the sheriff's offfice. One number easy to remember is 267-2000,
Definitely not legal and violators should be reported. That said- while illegal- is this really bad for the environment or are we saying it is simply because it is illegal?
I once saw an alligator surfing in the gulf and posted pics here - years back. Back to the topic- I don't condone this illegal behavior. Just pointing out that it isn't necessarily bad for the environment. When the rain raises the levels it naturally breaks through a few times a year.
Our dune lakes are a very precious thing.. when the time is right the lakes will break through.. It is illegal to force it and should be reported to the proper authorities. I realize some of our visitors dont realize this and maybe we should be the ones to educate them before we have them arrested.
As a child, we used to spend hours, sometimes weekends, digging out Eastern Lake to the Gulf just so we could play in the strong rush of water as the water poured out of the lake into the Gulf. That was in the late 60's & early 70's. Didn't hurt the lake one bit. Also used to roll in innertubes down the huge dunes that sat right where that yellow house sits now- the one who doesn't want anyone walking over "their" beach. Even built bonfires right in the low parts of those rolling dunes...without a permit- gasp! Kids with shovels and inner tubes do far less damage than homes built all over the dunes. Wish my kids and grandkids could do the same without fear of being arrested.
I've said it before, but you know you're from Sowal when your idea of whitewater rafting includes a dune lake outflow, an inner tube, and a six pack! Ah...the good ole days!
