Watersound West Beach

[blapaglia]

Does anyone know if the dune lake always flows into the ocean at the Watersound West Beach? When we were there in May, it was flowing in pretty significantly. We spoke with someone who had been there in October 2008 and they said it was flowing then also, but straight out.

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Matt J]

That would be Deer Lake. It seems to be one of the few that someone isn't screaming about opening mechanically on a regular basis. It opened recently due to the rain we had and has been slowly draining ever since. It is a much better example of how a dune lake works than Eastern lake since, to my knowledge, it hasn't been opened mechanically.

The outflows will go in whatever direction provides the least resistance (water flows downhill). It has become a very interesting outflow as it comes out of the lake in the normal fashion most expect and see, then meanders west for several hundred feet then there is a lower portion that is emptying into the Gulf. I've never seen this configuration before, usually they go straight out without much meandering. Most seem to go west ward and if you do a search you can find a photo of the Eastern lake outfall going directly west before reaching the Gulf.

If you ever happen to catch a dune lake opening it is a truly awesome site as it goes from a slow trickle to a massive roaring of water 30 feet wide.

Note: Never try to open a dune lake, it's illegal, and dangerous. Just last year IIRC two kids were swept out after opening Western lake.

 

[gmarc]

So when theres no rain for weeks the dune lake stops flowing into the gulf?last week redfish was roaring into the gulf after the huge rains.

 

[blapaglia]

That would be Deer Lake. It seems to be one of the few that someone isn't screaming about opening mechanically on a regular basis. It opened recently due to the rain we had and has been slowly draining ever since. It is a much better example of how a dune lake works than Eastern lake since, to my knowledge, it hasn't been opened mechanically.

The outflows will go in whatever direction provides the least resistance (water flows downhill). It has become a very interesting outflow as it comes out of the lake in the normal fashion most expect and see, then meanders west for several hundred feet then there is a lower portion that is emptying into the Gulf. I've never seen this configuration before, usually they go straight out without much meandering. Most seem to go west ward and if you do a search you can find a photo of the Eastern lake outfall going directly west before reaching the Gulf.

If you ever happen to catch a dune lake opening it is a truly awesome site as it goes from a slow trickle to a massive roaring of water 30 feet wide.

Note: Never try to open a dune lake, it's illegal, and dangerous. Just last year IIRC two kids were swept out after opening Western lake.

Thank you SO MUCH for your response. I truly appreciate it.

I have a few questions for you:

When you say mechanically, do you mean someone tried to open it rather than let nature take its course and open it when necessary?

If you haven't heard of Deer Lake opening, does that mean it doesn't open very often but that Eastern Lake does? Is Eastern Lake the one near The Retreat? I saw pictures of The Retreat and it showed brown water in the ocean there.

Concerning the flounder beds, that's very interesting. Is this something that would be there all year? I have spent many days in the ocean all over and I've never had such an impossible time trying to walk in it as I did at the Watercolor and Watersound West beaches.

Thanks again for all the helpful information and your time.

 

[Matt J]

So when theres no rain for weeks the dune lake stops flowing into the gulf?last week redfish was roaring into the gulf after the huge rains.

They'll generally open after heavy rains, then there is some back wash from the Gulf and eventually the opening closes back up. Could be days, could be weeks, it's natures call.

Thank you SO MUCH for your response. I truly appreciate it.

I have a few questions for you:

When you say mechanically, do you mean someone tried to open it rather than let nature take its course and open it when necessary?

If you haven't heard of Deer Lake opening, does that mean it doesn't open very often but that Eastern Lake does? Is Eastern Lake the one near The Retreat? I saw pictures of The Retreat and it showed brown water in the ocean there.

Concerning the flounder beds, that's very interesting. Is this something that would be there all year? I have spent many days in the ocean all over and I've never had such an impossible time trying to walk in it as I did at the Watercolor and Watersound West beaches.

Thanks again for all the helpful information and your time.

When I say mechanically I mean with a huge back hoe that the county drives across the beach. It usually leaves a disgusting trail of red clay behind as well. This is in an effort to "relieve" the property owners who's homes were built too close to the lake. It's an ongoing controversy.

Deer lake isn't monitored as closely as Eastern lake. Eastern lake also has many homes near the outfall so the actual opening is generally witnessed. There are only a couple of homes with direct views of the Deer lake outfall. Eastern lake isn't the dune lake near the Retreat, Eastern lake is located just West of Watersound West beach. It's the lake that Old Florida Fish House is on. The Retreat is on Draper lake which is on occasion opened mechanically.

I'm not 100% on the flounder beds, but having twisted an ankle or two over the years after stepping in one it sounds the same. Sort of like potholes on the bottom of the sea floor.

Feel free to ask questions, it's one of the most effective methods to learn, and most everyone on here is helpful.