Coastal Dune Lakes are unique bodies of water found in only five places in the world, New Zealand,
Australia, Madagascar and two areas in the United States. While a few are found in the American
Northern Pacific Coast the majority of the lakes in the United States are almost exclusively in the
Florida Panhandle.
It is estimated the lakes were formed between two to ten thousand years ago by wind activities in
arid regions. These permanent bodies of water are believed to be relic lagoons that have been closed
off from the Gulf of Mexico by sand dunes.
As the lakes fill to capacity due to rain and other inflow the weakest area of sand around the banks
that separate the lake from the Gulf will "blow out" and release fresh water into the Gulf. At this
time salt water exchanges, as well as marine and plant life, creating a very unique ecosystem.
Walton County, Florida recognizes 15 of these rare coastal dune lakes, 11 of which are located along
highway 30-A. Grande Pointe at Inlet Beach is located on Lake Powell, the largest of these lakes at
767 acres. It was declared a Pristine Florida Waterway over ten years ago and is the only lake large
enough to offer motorized boating and water skiing as well as fishing and kayaking making it a rare
amenity to Grande Pointe.
|
