Help! Everyone's Dock is Submerged on Camp Creek Lake.

[Matt J]

Eastern Lake was opened by the county. It has not broken out naturally in probably four years. In the fifty years I have been observing Eastern Lake the salinity has never dropped to the point where it has wiped out entire species of plants and wildlife, as it has now. The sawgrass that was prevelant since the early sixties has been completely replaced by cattails. There is no more mullet and bluecrab. Freshwater invasive plants are now digging in. This is in no way a cycle but a clear change in the ecology of this lake brought upon by the damming of the inlet.

There is much difference in opinion. In a perfect world, I'd be much happier to say just let it be, but I, unfortunately, have to show some empathy for less fortunate property owners. The lake has broken out naturally a few times but these are virtually trickles with little backwash. The sawgrass is gone. The mullett and bluecrab are gone. The ecology of the lake is changed.

You keep saying the bluecrab are gone. Care to tell the 7 I've caught in my trap in the past week, or perhaps you could tell the 8 we counted at the outfall last Friday that prompted us to get a trap.

I have to ask about these "less fortunate property owners". Other than the ones in Lake Pointe who is having a problem with the lake's level?

 

[Lake View Too]

Clarification

I am not so rigid in my view that I cannot amend some of my past statements. There was a one time event this summer when hurricane Gustaf brushed past us, a day after the inlet was opened by the county, and a great amount of salt water was blown into the lake. This seems to have knocked down the widgeon grass, helped the sawgrass make a comeback, and have given the bluecrabs a chance.

The salinity was at two parts per thousand in this summer as opposed to 23 parts per thousand in '05. It appears from this event that the restoration of salinity to it's "normal" level was a good thing. From my understanding, salinity levels have only been measured since the late 90's, so we will have to use anecdotal information to deduce levels before then. In the five decades I have observed the lake there have been no incidents of "invasive" plants, and I have seen no decline in the sawgrass until the last two years.

The phragmites (bamboo-like weeds) are possibly invasive species. There are two varieties and a sample is now being tested to see if we are getting the invasive kind. The widgeon grass (scum-like blossoms) are not technically an invasive species. It is simply gross, obnoxious, smelly, and seems to create pockets of stagnant water which would suggest great mosquitoe-breeding grounds. Both of these weeds thrive on freshwater.

All this suggests that the lake would be at it's healthiest if it stayed brackish with a periodic influx of saltwater. Aerial photography of the inlet flood plain before and after Hurricane Dennis provides convincing proof that Worth William's filldirt is not "long gone" but was blown into the mouth of the inlet by Dennis. You can see this sandbar right now. This obstruction is preventing the inlet from ever breaking out with enough gusto to "heal" itself.

While I do understand the "do nothing" feelings that abound, most of the residents around the lake feel that a one time restoration of the lagoon that use to be present at the mouth of the inlet would be the best way to restore the health of the inlet and the lake.

The water level is a sympton of the inability of the inlet to heal itself. There are residents in Lake Pointe, Lakewood, and South Lake Drive who would welcome a return to the average lake levels of the past fifty years. I would like to see the salinity levels return to a healthy level to preserve the unique quality of this lake. This cannot occur when the lake stays three feet higher than the Gulf.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Whoa! stop the boat right there. Salinity levels were up in 2005 because the storms of 2004 and 2005 pushed the Gulf water into the lakes. It wasn't just the "normal" readings in 2005. When the storms, a few months ago, pushed into the lakes, salinity increased again. It is a natural process. The salt water is heavier than the fresh and will tend to remain more around the point of entry from the Gulf, and the water on the bottom will be saltier than that at the top of the lakes. When the water level rises enough to break out into the Gulf, the saltier water is the first to roll out into the Gulf.

I really wish that people would stop trying to "fix" nature, as the way they say it on a certain day. What makes a "healthy" lake? I certainly don't think that humans know the true answer, so let's stop pretending. People who own property around the lake are pitching the idea that they know what makes a healthy lake, yet they are the very ones who probably contribute more to the human manipulation of the lakes. Life is dynamic. Change is the only thing that is certain. Please, everyone, throw away your "no-grow" boxes and let's embrace the ever-changing world around us.

One last thing, regardless of Worth Williams' actions of dumping sand, let's stop blaming Worth for the Lake not opening. I say this only after observing all of our Coastal Dune Lakes, which have huge hills to climb before breaking out into the Gulf. Surely, Worth Williams cannot be to blame for all of the lakes not opening, can he? Step back, take a deep breath, and let it go.

 

[hnooe]

Whoa! stop the boat right there. Salinity levels were up in 2005 because the storms of 2004 and 2005 pushed the Gulf water into the lakes. It wasn't just the "normal" readings in 2005. When the storms, a few months ago, pushed into the lakes, salinity increased again. It is a natural process. The salt water is heavier than the fresh and will tend to remain more around the point of entry from the Gulf, and the water on the bottom will be saltier than that at the top of the lakes. When the water level rises enough to break out into the Gulf, the saltier water is the first to roll out into the Gulf.

I really wish that people would stop trying to "fix" nature, as the way they say it on a certain day. What makes a "healthy" lake? I certainly don't think that humans know the true answer, so let's stop pretending. People who own property around the lake are pitching the idea that they know what makes a healthy lake, yet they are the very ones who probably contribute more to the human manipulation of the lakes. Life is dynamic. Change is the only thing that is certain. Please, everyone, throw away your "no-grow" boxes and let's embrace the ever-changing world around us.

One last thing, regardless of Worth Williams' actions of dumping sand, let's stop blaming Worth for the Lake not opening. I say this only after observing all of our Coastal Dune Lakes, which have huge hills to climb before breaking out into the Gulf. Surely, Worth Williams cannot be to blame for all of the lakes not opening, can he? .

Thanks Joe--I started this thread, and will end it on this note...What I have learned has been succinctly worded by YOU! I have learned...in short " don't try to fix nature, and embrace the ever changing world around us," it is beautiful!!

My investment (the dock) is under water--so what!--it is still in tact, hasn't prevented me from getting in my kayak, and I thank God I live on a rare coastal dune lake! I am very lucky.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think people tend to forget that there is no constant or norm for water levels. We can track the highest levels and build above them, but that only works until Mother Nature decides to change it.

I just don't understand why the folks on the coastal lakes don't have adjustable or floating docks - everywhere else in the country people either have floating docks, adjustable docks, or build them WAY above the high water mark.

There are many things going on that affect the water composition and there are certainly many things people are doing that damage/affect the lakes, wildlife, plantlife etc. and that they need to STOP doing, but unlike adding pollutants or fill, high/low water is a natural fact of life.