摘要: |
Coastal dune lakes are freshwater lakes located within 2 miles (3.2 km) of an ocean coastline. These rare ecosystems are only found in a handful of locations around the globe, including Madagascar, New Zealand, Australia and Walton County, Fla. Walton County is home to 15 coastal dune lakes, some of which are only a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico. These unique waterways create transitory interchanges between a natural stormwater lake and the gulf. When a coastal dune lake reaches a high water level, it will break through the dune system, forming a channel between the lake and the gulf. The channel, or outfall, is critical for regulating water levels and mitigating flooding. |