Eastern Lake opens

I realize this is pretty trivial compared to the oil spill, but yesterday's downpours opened Eastern Lake. It now has a natural serpentine exit, which will help it open and close naturally, if the county will leave it alone.

Eastern Lake has been breaking out freely and naturally since before Christmas. It is very healthy right now. Unfortunately, in light of upcoming events, the fact that it is wide open could cause tragic pollution to enter the lake...

I realize this is pretty trivial compared to the oil spill, but yesterday's downpours opened Eastern Lake. It now has a natural serpentine exit, which will help it open and close naturally, if the county will leave it alone.

If you mean it is now open to the gulf - it is now in danger of oil contamination. It probably needs to be closed up ASAP. It will be well-nigh impossible to clean up the coastal lakes from oil contamination if it occurs.

BOYCOTT BP!

and in light of the massive oil spill heading towards shore, you're happy about this . . . why?

The county is prepared to close outfalls if necessary.

We were discussing this last night, heavy rain opening the dune lakes could be disastrous. What a relief to hear the county will close the lakes.

The county is prepared to close outfalls if necessary.

Do you have any more info on this? They need to act soon, and I don't have much confidence that they can do it, considering the rate of flow at Eastern Lake...

Do you have any more info on this? They need to act soon, and I don't have much confidence that they can do it, considering the rate of flow at Eastern Lake...

I don't, but the county has plenty of heavy equipment and access to more from contractors. They are probably in hold mode and may not attempt to close an outfall that is flowing hard, or see the need.

Water rarely flows into the lakes, only when conditions are just right and equilibrium is near. A lake with long winding outflow hardly ever has inflow. Now if there is a storm or high surf, then waves can breach and enter some of the lakes.

I don't, but the county has plenty of heavy equipment and access to more from contractors. They are probably in hold mode and may not attempt to close an outfall that is flowing hard, or see the need.

Water rarely flows into the lakes, only when conditions are just right and equilibrium is near. A lake with long winding outflow hardly ever has inflow. Now if there is a storm or high surf, then waves can breach and enter some of the lakes.

We will certainly reach the equilibrium point before "the oil spill goes away". There will certainly be high surf before "the oil spill goes away". I'm sorry that I'm sounding so bitter, but, with just a little bit of effort, our county could make moves to protect these precious lakes BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, and, in my heart, I know this isn't going to happen.

Sheriff and BCC Chairman survey the lakes

Today the Sheriff and the BCC Chairman are surveying the coastal dune lakes to assess the best way to protect them from the oil spill. As the coastal lakes open they deposit brown stained water into the Gulf. Please do not mistake this stained water for oil. Currently no oil has reached our area. The discoloration and the foam in the water are caused by the coastal lakes and the size of the waves. The fact that the lakes are currently open is a good thing. Having them open and draining means that when the time comes to close the lakes, the barricades will hold for a longer period of time because the pressure has been released from the lakes. The Sheriff and the BCC Chairman are both concerned with how to protect this most precious resource.

My suggestion is to use the portable concrete barricades that are used during road construction to make several barriers across the outflows. They could be temporarily removed to allow the lakes to drain off when necessary. Sand could be added to bolster them. Please pass this on to the powers that be. Thanks.

Thank you to Sheriff Adkinson and the BCC for being proactive and looking for options for Walton County. This is a scary and sad time for us.

I am trying to figure out how to possibly use all the %^$%&# phone books to keep oil out of the lakes.

Figure that the 3-12 books each household is getting would make some levys - and then could be burned.

Best idea I've heard so far! Or better yet, maybe we could use Dick Cheney's wallet. :floor::floor: