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Who opened the outflow?

John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
14,518 views
Friday, someone opened the oyster lake outflow...

It's no surprise that AFTER that happened, TDC code enforcement was "patrolling" the area. In at least 10 weeks, I've never seen TDC code enforcement in that area, Friday, Saturday or Sunday and I'm there each day! There's a beach CAM too!

Some Jack hole to turn, dug out the oyster lake outflow and the water turned from crystal clear to brackish, in about 3 hours.

When people arrived at that area, I hear tourists, those that paid $$$, to be here, say "it didn't look like that yesterday"

Epic failure and prime example of Proactive VS. Reactive.

Really, we can't see people with shovels digging for hours?

Give me a break.

Recall all TDC Code Enforcement and start over!

It's also my understanding that both "private" residences" adjacent to said outflow have video surveillance.

Perhaps the non-challenged Sheriff will investigate...

Replies

69
Beach Fanatic
#52
It's almost like someone built giant homes around the lakes and now it's causing problems...

I agree with your sentiment.....you can't make this stuff up. Preservation of the lakes by those who have built or bought next to them is obviously a deeply-held civic duty that must be duly enforced by said owners......once they have finished adjusting the balance of Nature to make way for their piece of Paradise. Since protection of one's property rights via placement of signs, ropes, walls, or what-have-you is the fad of the times, I wonder how those doing the protecting will enforce any air rights or mineral rights on their property.....I envision 40'-high driving-range fences to cover the air rights, but I'm at a loss as to how to block those pesky mineral scavengers.

The level of ridiculousness of the issues some find "important" is mind-numbing......the clown in me doesn't know whether to laugh hysterically, or cry uncontrollably. sheesh
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#53
Nobody south of the bay owns their mineral rights as those were retained by the BLM.

In regards to Oyster Lake, this is what happens when we try to "correct" or "control" them. The outfalls is forced through a man made chute of sorts to satisfy the whims of a nonresident 2nd homeowner.
FactorFiction avatar
Beach Fanatic
#54
Nobody south of the bay owns their mineral rights as those were retained by the BLM.

In regards to Oyster Lake, this is what happens when we try to "correct" or "control" them. The outfalls is forced through a man made chute of sorts to satisfy the whims of a nonresident 2nd homeowner.
I think Oyster Lake has been forced through a man made chute of sorts ever since 30A was built. Weren't there culverts under 30A?
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#55
I think Oyster Lake has been forced through a man made chute of sorts ever since 30A was built. Weren't there culverts under 30A?

Yes and terminated at the southern edge of 30A. During the crooked bridge construction they installed walls to direct the outfall directly south. You can see the tops when you drive by or from the beach.
Beach Lover
#56
Was the Stallworth opening in the last few days? Oyster Lake opened naturally (as best anyone could tell) in late June.

Stallworth hasn’t opened up for a while. There were witnesses even though the guy denied it. Last year some college kids opened it up got caught and a deputy sheriff stood watch while they filled the break back in. Someone called the county this time not sure the outcome.
Everytime avatar
Beach Fanatic
#571
image.jpeg
Enough fun, now here is my serious take on kids digging out the outflows: First of all, if it's capable of being dug out by a bunch of kids, that outflow was probably 48 hours or less from busting out by itself. In mother nature years, that is an infinitesimally small amount of time. Second of all, it doesn't harm the lake. It's a Coastal Dune Lake, for crissakes! it's suppose to break out! And three, it's a gorgeous event for a kid to be able to see, and remember for the rest of his life.


My point/complaint on it being "dug" out was that it created an entirely different flow than the natural one that had been calmly, naturally occurring over the prior week; it collapsed the isthmus and turned the peaceful "lazy river" type outflow (which was on some days an "inflow" from the Gulf) with a strong, swift Gulfbound current on a very soft and unstable bottom and into a red flag Gulf. Yes, my own kids enjoyed riding their boards on it more, but I had to be very close to them and not take my eyes off of them instead of relaxing in my chair as when they played in the calm, safe harbor of the prior days. And I assumed from the same signs you mentioned above that it wasn't supposed to be opened by humans...
John G avatar
Beach FanaticAuthor
#58
I think Oyster Lake has been forced through a man made chute of sorts ever since 30A was built. Weren't there culverts under 30A?

Just Drove by there today at lunch.

Seems water is very low and significant erosion along the banks near bridge.

Orange cones out and visible damage.

Sure no one dug it out?

I was told that someone did, thus my starting the post.
Jim Tucker avatar
Beach Fanatic
#59
County has approved $250,000 for emergency wall to stop erosion at new bridge.
Lake View Too avatar
SoWal Insider
#60
So, am I getting the gist of this thread, that everyone would rather that this lake not break-out anymore? Obviously the county didn't build the right bridge for that situation. I guess it will become a Panama City Beach style lake. What a shame.
FactorFiction avatar
Beach Fanatic
#61
Just Drove by there today at lunch.

Seems water is very low and significant erosion along the banks near bridge.

Orange cones out and visible damage.

Sure no one dug it out?

I was told that someone did, thus my starting the post.
I can't swear to it. Info I received was that it broke out about 2 am according to camera footage that was available. No signs of people or vehicles visible in the footage, but it was the middle of the night so unless the moon was bright, who knows?
Jim Tucker avatar
Beach Fanatic
#62
So, am I getting the gist of this thread, that everyone would rather that this lake not break-out anymore? Obviously the county didn't build the right bridge for that situation. I guess it will become a Panama City Beach style lake. What a shame.
They're blaming it on rain.
Lake View Too avatar
SoWal Insider
#63
Wow, rain in Florida! Who would have thunk. :blink:
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#66
Before, during, and after.
Its amazing to watch a dune lake doing dune lake things after a week of rain. Good to see it taking care of itself without intervention from anyone. Dont know if Eastern Lake does, but Western Lake has some awesome blue crabbing when it breaks.:drool:
Lake View Too avatar
SoWal Insider
#67
People say the blue crabs are back in Eastern Lake. The inlet has been healthy for almost a year now.
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#68
People say the blue crabs are back in Eastern Lake. The inlet has been healthy for almost a year now.
Glad to hear they are back. One sign of a healthy ecosystem.
MRBS avatar
Beach Lover
#69
That video is awesome. Thanks for sharing! May I make a motion for a nature forum?
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#70
People say the blue crabs are back in Eastern Lake. The inlet has been healthy for almost a year now.

They were there 6 years ago, but I might have caught them all.

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