Walton County’s natural wonders are a major part of the destination’s appeal. While the sugar-white sand and turquoise water attract visitors, South Walton’s 15 named coastal dune lakes along 26 miles of Gulf coastline provide another aquatic wonder, nurturing local wildlife habitats and offering scenic opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Dune lakes are a rare phenomenon, and the only other places where they can be found are Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar and Oregon. These lakes contain fresh water, brackish in color from the tannins in broken-down organic matter such as leaves and tree bark, giving the water a brownish tint, similar to a brewed tea.
At times, the lakes fill with rainwater and spill over into the Gulf in streams called outfalls, allowing for varying degrees of salinity.
“Western Lake usually gets a pretty big influx of salt water every so often,” said Jeff Talbert, project coordinator at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and chairman of the Coastal Dune Lakes Advisory Board. “They all vary in their interaction with the Gulf.”
Even among the dune lakes of the world, Walton County’s are unique, according to Talbert. The lakes receive rainwater and open up periodically to the larger body, which in this case is the Gulf of Mexico. There are regular openings across the beaches at certain dune lakes, like Western and Alligator lakes.
“Wetlands that surround these lakes are very important because they’re some of the most biodiverse ecosystems we have here in Walton County and in the panhandle of Florida, which is part of a biodiversity hotspot,” said Talbert.
Rare species also interact with the dune lakes, such as migratory birds stopping over from the Gulf of Mexico. The lakes’ surrounding vegetation is an important food source for the birds as they leave and return from their wintering and breeding grounds, according to Talbert.
The outfalls along the beach are also important breeding areas for nesting shorebirds using those areas to help raise their young. Because of the lakes’ interaction with the Gulf, birds have access to small fish and food sources in the sand.
Walton County visitors and locals can enjoy the lakes for recreation, namely canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. They also make a stunning canvas for photographs and add a touch of tranquil beauty to any drive along Scenic Highway 30A.
Nature trails also give hikers access to some of the lakes. At Grayton Beach State Park’s nature trail, hikers can see some of the wetland areas and creeks that feed the north end of Western Lake, where they can find plant life such as pitcher plants and orchids.
There are many ways to preserve the natural habitats and beauty of the coastal dune lakes and natural surroundings. Proper disposal of litter helps to keep the water and shore areas clean, and staying on marked trails and not disturbing the outfalls safeguards vegetation and wildlife habitats.
Talbert emphasized that while state parks and forests protect a large area of these wetlands, wildlife also share the beaches and lakes.
“It’s being cognizant and being aware that we all use the beach for our own recreation, and we aren’t the only ones doing that,” Talbert said. “There’s other beach species, other birds and sea turtles that are also using these areas.”
The coastal dune lakes are yet another treasure that makes Walton County a unique place to explore. By committing to keeping them clean and well-protected, we can ensure all species enjoy the beauty for years to come.
For more information on Walton County’s coastal dune lakes, visit visitsouthwalton.com/blog/coastal-dune-lakes/, as well as mywaltonfl.gov/97/Coastal-Dune-Lakes.