Children Caused a Massive Breach of a Coastal Dune Lake, Draper Lake, July 17th.
I happened to be walking on the beach and came upon the breach at Draper Lake shortly after it started. Apparently a few children were digging a trench between the lake and the Gulf when all of a sudden the lake breached. The pictures I have enclosed show the force of the break.
Several children then later decided to ride the "waves" and the force was so strong it pushed them out into the Gulf for about 150' yards. There were rip tides and flags flying that day. The life guards were notified initially but the breach was so swift that there was no stopping it. So the lifeguards were not present at this stage, as there was nothing they could do to stop it.
When the children began riding the waves and were swept out, the lifeguards arrived again and began to swim out to them. South Walton Fire and Rescue also arrived. But a man with a kayak had already jumped in, and began paddling toward for the children and hauled them onto the kayak safely.
One Fire and Rescue official was heard on the radio saying the breach was draining the whole lake. On my return the next day, the lake was at a much lower level and the breach was still flowing but at a much slower rate of speed.
My question is: What does this do to the ecosystem in the lake when it was such a drastic break and such a large breach? And not caused by large amounts of rainfall? The width of the breach was a least 40-50 feet at the widest, if not wider.
Also: What about the safety of people when the breach is caused by unknowing children or adults? I wonder if there should be signs posted for that kind of dangerous behavior started by a person or persons, resulting in a possibly life threatening situation, especially for children?
It was a spectacular site to see a lake breach so violently right before my eyes| But it could have been a very dangerous situation considering the force, the strength, and the power of the rushing water.
Replies
39
Beach Comber
Kids digging a trench between Draper Lake and the Gulf? This looks shady to me...I suspect Draper Lake property owners looking to boost their recently impaired values by opening up Draper Lake so they can call it Gulf front property!!!
Beach Lover
This should not happen, but kids are kids. Someone said it earlier: where are the freakin parents?? As far as the ecosystem goes, I don't believe much damage is done when a couple of kids can take a small shovel to create a breach. Now the houses built on and all around that lake-that is another ecosystem question too late to answer.
One Hand Clapping
During my former life of working on these lakes, I have seen this happen at Draper (and a few other lakes as well) a few times. Draper lake seems to be situated at a slightly higher elevation than some of the other lakes, so when it breaks, it really flows.....It is illegal to manually open the lakes, but no one seems interested in enforcing it. Especially when it pertains to hot pink plastic hand shovels. The county at one point was going to put signs at all of the outlets educating people on this subject. Not sure what happened......
Beach Fanatic
Maybe there needs to be a community beach watch group, so when an uneducated person does something like that and is unresponsive to a single polite suggestion to quit, the group could call in other members for a larger peaceful intervention. Not a riotous group with torches and pitch forks, but sometimes being faced with a group will make a person listen better than to just one person. Although torches and pitchforks could be effective also.
Beach Fanatic
I really think we need a Take Back Our Beaches campaign, or something, and right about now, pitchforks sound pretty good to me.
There was an incident the other night where a turtle came ashore to nest, was harrassed and prevented from returning to the water for several HOURS. There was an altercation between a drunk who threatened to shoot the turtle
and some people who were trying to get others to leave her alone, and apparently 911 was called, but I do not know if any help was obtained.
This morning while walking just a short distance I picked up a whole sack of empty glass beer bottles. Some of them were underneath canopies that had been up all night. I am all for enjoying the beach but it seems as though quite a few people need to be taught how to behave.
There was an incident the other night where a turtle came ashore to nest, was harrassed and prevented from returning to the water for several HOURS. There was an altercation between a drunk who threatened to shoot the turtle
and some people who were trying to get others to leave her alone, and apparently 911 was called, but I do not know if any help was obtained.This morning while walking just a short distance I picked up a whole sack of empty glass beer bottles. Some of them were underneath canopies that had been up all night. I am all for enjoying the beach but it seems as though quite a few people need to be taught how to behave.
Beach Fanatic
That is very upsetting about the turtle. The beach patrol should have come. It would be nice to have a group that was supported by the local authorities to at least be a "neighborhood" beach watch. One that would get quick responses from them.
SWGB
I prefer the torches and pitchforks idea.
I don't condone mob justice, unless it gets results. Which it usually does.
I don't condone mob justice, unless it gets results. Which it usually does.
Beach Comber
Wow that was impresssive. We were staying at the Inn at Blue Moutain from the 19th on and were wondering why the lake was so low. walking along what was recently the lakebed was kind of creepy. Thr sand was firm but very unstable.
Beach Comber
Draper Lake naturally breaches about every 3 mo
If the kids did not cause the breach, mother nature would have done the same thing soon. This type of breach occurs naturally about every 2-3 months. All will be fine with the lake.
If the kids did not cause the breach, mother nature would have done the same thing soon. This type of breach occurs naturally about every 2-3 months. All will be fine with the lake.
Beach Fanatic
think you are missing the point here...there was danger to the people involved as well as the possibility of all kinds of "unforeseen" consequences.
The rules are there for a reason. I just wish our local law enforcement were as quick to protect the beach and the environment as they are to arrest tourists and locals who are building sandcastles in the sand.:angry:
The rules are there for a reason. I just wish our local law enforcement were as quick to protect the beach and the environment as they are to arrest tourists and locals who are building sandcastles in the sand.:angry:
Meow
During my former life of working on these lakes, I have seen this happen at Draper (and a few other lakes as well) a few times. Draper lake seems to be situated at a slightly higher elevation than some of the other lakes, so when it breaks, it really flows.....It is illegal to manually open the lakes, but no one seems interested in enforcing it. Especially when it pertains to hot pink plastic hand shovels. The county at one point was going to put signs at all of the outlets educating people on this subject. Not sure what happened......
They ran out of blue paint? Thanks for this info!
Maybe there needs to be a community beach watch group, so when an uneducated person does something like that and is unresponsive to a single polite suggestion to quit, the group could call in other members for a larger peaceful intervention. Not a riotous group with torches and pitch forks, but sometimes being faced with a group will make a person listen better than to just one person. Although torches and pitchforks could be effective also.
I want to team with SJ and John R.
Beach Comber
This should not happen, but kids are kids. Someone said it earlier: where are the freakin parents?? As far as the ecosystem goes, I don't believe much damage is done when a couple of kids can take a small shovel to create a breach. Now the houses built on and all around that lake-that is another ecosystem question too late to answer.
AMEN!
Logic and intelligence...thank you!
Beach Fanatic
Not everyone can be on welfare...
HH,
I just gotta know-
Is your avatar intended to make fun of Republicans (a caricature of people who believe what it says)? Or is it the real deal and indicative of your views?
BTW, I am a fan of free speech and am all for you using whatever tar you want. Just curious where you are coming from...
Cheers, G
HH,
I just gotta know-
Is your avatar intended to make fun of Republicans (a caricature of people who believe what it says)? Or is it the real deal and indicative of your views?
BTW, I am a fan of free speech and am all for you using whatever tar you want. Just curious where you are coming from...
Cheers, G
SoWal Insider
HH,he's in favor of 500 billion dollar deficits and corporate welfare....maybe
I just gotta know-
Is your avatar intended to make fun of Republicans (a caricature of people who believe what it says)? Or is it the real deal and indicative of your views?
BTW, I am a fan of free speech and am all for you using whatever tar you want. Just curious where you are coming from...
Cheers, G
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