Beaches

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Walton County Health Department issues advisory for Grayton Beach

As of July 11, 2013 – Advisory issued for Grayton Beach Access The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is...

Help imperiled bird species survive along our beaches

Be mindful and respect wildlife this coming holiday weekend and every day By Jeff Talbert, Park Services Specialist Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Each year on our beaches, imperiled animals come to nest. Many visitors and residents are aware of our nesting sea turtles and even our endangered beach mice. However, most aren’t aware of our nesting shorebirds. Each year Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County beaches play host to a variety of nesting shorebirds including snowy plovers and least terns....

Exhausted baby alligator rescued from the Gulf of Mexico

An unusual occurrence had beach goers a bit startled June 16, 2013 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. A 2 1/2 ft. long young alligator was struggling just offshore when park ranger Tammy Matthews got a phone call. “I was driving the tram and got a report of an alligator on the beach. 
When I got there, some visitors told me that he kept trying to come ashore, then someone would run over to look and spook him back out....

Tropical storm Andrea creates strong surf conditions in South Walton

Water closed to the public in South Walton The beach flags for South Walton’s beaches will fly at DOUBLE RED today, June 6, 2013. Extremely dangerous rip currents are forecast to remain through until Friday morning. Please do not enter the surf. The high surf conditions are due to Tropical Storm Andrea. RIP CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROBABILITY AND RIP CURRENT STRENGTH: very high: very high risk of life threatening rip currents means that wind, wave and tidal conditions all support the...

Hands Across the Sand coming to Santa Rosa Beach May 18

Join Hands to end our dependence on dangerous, dirty fuels.  Join Hands to end global warming and climate change.  Join Hands to embrace Clean Energy.  ”It’s the most important thing we can do as human beings” Dave Rauschkolb, founder. This will again be a gathering in solidarity of people all over the world who care about preserving our precious oceans, oxygen, drinking water and food from dangerous, dirty fuels. The global movement “Hands Across the Sand” will be gathering at Noon...

Walton County beach sampling results for April 23, 2013

Two advisories issued for this sampling period The Florida Department of Health in Walton County conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program.   Samples are collected from March through the end of October.  The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes.  The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution,...