Rare, Diverse, and Beautiful Coastal Dune Lakes

The pristine beauty is well documented in Walton County, where 40% of the land south of the Choctawhatchee Bay is preserved for nature.

And a true ecological treasure here are our rare coastal dune lakes, the likes of which are found only in a handful of worldwide locations such as Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and Oregon. In celebration of these special bodies of water, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners has even designated October as Coastal Dune Lake Awareness Month.

There are 15 named coastal dune lakes in Walton County. These shallow, irregularly shaped depressions are only about 5 feet deep on average. Adding to their uniqueness, the local dune lakes have an intermittent connection with the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to maintaining the exchange of fresh and salt water, this so-called “outfall” also helps the lakes control flooding.

Our dune lakes are highly important to the coast because they store and filter water. And while the water may not be as stunning as the nearby turquoise Gulf, it is equally fascinating. The brownish color of a coastal dune lake is due to the breakdown of organic matter, similar to when you make tea. It makes for a complex ecosystem that supports a diverse range of both saltwater and freshwater plant and animal species.

To help protect these rare natural treasures, Walton County has established several measures, including erosion control and a detailed stormwater plan. Almost every coastal dune lake here is afforded a 100-foot undisturbed shoreline setback buffer and a 50-foot undisturbed setback buffer from either side of its natural outlet. Seawalls, bulkheads, revetments and rip-rap are all prohibited.

Opposite Page: WaterColor is home to one of South Walton’s most picturesque coastal dune lakes, Western Lake.

This Page: In Blue Mountain Beach, this coastal dune lake outfall into the Gulf maintains the exchange of fresh and salt water and also helps the lakes control flooding.

So, regardless if you’re a resident of the area or a visitor who was initially drawn by the nearby beach, take some time to explore these rare coastal dune lakes.

There are also groups dedicated to protecting these rare bodies of water. In place for 20 years, the countyappointed Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board utilizes a combination of public education and promotion, while making informed recommendations to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is a county partner that assists with education and outreach, as well as water quality monitoring and the removal of nuisance plants.

So, regardless if you’re a resident of the area or a visitor who was initially drawn by the nearby beach, take some time to explore these rare coastal dune lakes.

Some of the best launching points are found in local state parks such as Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, which provide direct access to the lakes. The Boathouse Paddle Club in WaterColor is situated right along the shore of Western Lake, arguably the county’s most popular coastal dune lake.

Each of the 15 lakes provides an amazing opportunity to get out in nature, whether you enjoy fishing, birding or hiking, or taking to the water on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Solution on next page

OLD SAINT NICK

BY MYLES MELLOR

ACROSS

1 One of Santa’s reindeer 4 Another reindeer 9 Eggy Christmas drink 10 Reindeer who came into his own on one “foggy Christmas Eve” 12 Direction that magi came from 14 Santa’s robe color 18 Annual carrier for the toys 20 Children in this category get presents 22 Cupid’s teammate 24 Member of Santa’s team 26 Tom Hanks Christmas film, The ___ Express 28 Promises 32 Transport to the North Pole in 26 across 34 Goes down (the chimney, perhaps) 35 It could be north or south

DOWN

1 Reindeer on Santa’s team 2 Actors’ org. 3 Santa’s helper in many movies 5 Requests 6 Zippo 7 Cheerleader cheer 8 Actor who played Tyler in the Hallmark Channel’s Next Stop, Christmas, ___ Freeman 11 Favorite animal 13 Bando or Maglie 15 One of the Manning brothers 16 Present from Santa 17 Observed in the act 19 Airline home base 21 One of Santa’s reindeer 22 Another of Santa’s reindeer 23 Shopping centers 25 Time before Christmas 27 Route, for short 28 Notebook 29 Fleur-de-_____ 30 Melted caramel, for example 31 Watch 33 Nurse, for short

Puzzle on previous page

May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve. ”

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Au revoir!

BEFORE YOU GO . . .

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EPISODE 1: “RESCUE ME” .................................................................................................. with Laurie Hood EPISODE 2: “VIE ADVENTURES, PART 1” .......................................................................... with Tracey Thomas EPISODE 3: “PIVOT WITH YOUR TRIBE” ........................................................................... with Brittney Kelley EPISODE 4: “VIE ADVENTURES, PART 2” ............................................................................ with Jordan Staggs EPISODE 5: “LOVE THE REP” ............................................................................................. with Brook Stetler EPISODE 6: “FIT FOR LIFE” ...................................................................................... with Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy EPISODE 7: “LIFE IS A BATTLEFIELD” ................................................................................. with Geoff Speyrer EPISODE 8: “ART ON THE SPECTRUM: SEEING WHAT OTHERS CANNOT” ........................ with Nathan Alan Yoakum EPISODE 9: “A DYNAMIC DUO: LIVING AN ADVENTUROUS LIFE” ........... with Romona Robbins & Shane Reynolds EPISODE 10: “KEEPING THE ARTS ALIVE IN 2021” ................................................................. with Alexis Miller EPISODE 11: “THE GODFATHER OF NEW URBANISM” .............................................................. with Robert Davis EPISODE 12: “DANCING THROUGH FIRE” .......................................................................... with Danielle Torley EPISODE 13: “SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND” ............................................................................ with Brian Kelley EPISODE 14: “FEEDING A COMMUNITY” ........................................................................... with Tiffanie Nelson EPISODE 15: “FASHION, ART & MODERN DESIGN” ............................................................... with Todd D. Reeves EPISODE 16: “CHASING WAVES” ......................................................................................... with Jonah Allen EPISODE 17: “SOUL-FULL ART THAT HEALS” .................................................................... with Margaret Biggs EPISODE 18: “RACING TO THE FINISH LINE FOR A GOOD CAUSE” ....................................... with Corcoran Reverie EPISODE 19: “A CHANGE-MAKER FOR GOOD” ..................................................................... with Julian Lennon EPISODE 20: “A VERY MAGNETIC CHRISTMAS ALBUM” ......................................................... with Morgan James EPISODE 21: “LOOKING TO THE STARS” .............................................................................. with Jane Poynter EPISODE 22: “ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE” ............................................................................... with Brad Reese EPISODE 23: “KEEP YOUR PLANTS ON” ........................................................................... with Lindsay Tobias EPISODE 24: “THE MAGIC OF TRANSFORMATION” ............................................ with Allyson Justice Longshore EPISODE 25: “THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME: THE SEASIDE STYLE ®” ........................................... with Erica Pierce EPISODE 26: “THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY” ................. with Chandler Williams EPISODE 27: “ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL” ................................................................. with Christian Siriano EPISODE 28: “A CREATIVE FORCE” .............................................................................. with Ashley Longshore EPISODE 29: “SURFING, LOVING LIFE, AND CHAMPIONING FOR GOOD” ................................ with Dave Rauschkolb EPISODE 30: “TRAILBLAZING INTENTIONAL DESIGN: WHERE SERVICE MEETS ARCHITECTURE” ...... with Chris Reebals EPISODE 31: “A NEW-AGE PERSPECTIVE ON PODCASTING” .................................................... with Hailey Bethke

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