Here’s an updated list of road closures due to flood waters along the Choctawhatchee River in the Bruce and Red Bay communities in eastern Walton County:
(1). Smokehouse Lake Road
(2). River Road
(3). Dead River Road
(4). Cedar Log Lake Road
(5). Choctawhatchee River Road.
(6). Cowford Road.
(7). Morrison Road
(8). Senterfitt Road between Ezra Brannon and Pleasant Ridge Road.
Potable, fresh water tenders have been placed by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office on Steel field Road to serve folks in the Steel field and Bunker communities. A second water tender is on State Road 20 on the west end of the River Bridge.
The National Weather Service reports at 2 o’clock this afternoon the Choctawhatchee River in Bruce crested at 19-point-01 feet, some six-feet above the flood stage. Over coming days, that water level will steadily decrease. Hazardous driving conditions remain in effect in the affected flood areas of Walton County.
Take a closer look at old Florida during the Back To Nature Festival Oct. 16 – 18
Join the South Walton Community Council for a fun weekend of nature activities Oct. 16- 18 throughout South Walton. The nature festival offers visitors and locals a chance to explore the natural beauty of Walton County beyond our magnificent beaches.
One of the featured events is the Choctawhatchee River Safari with Capt. Kent Mundy. On either Oct. 17 or 18, you can join Kent and explore the waterways of Choctawhatchee River and Bay aboard the Riverwatch. Expect to see alligators, turtles, birds of prey and other fascinating wildlife. Meet at Pt. Washington boat ramp on Tucker Bayou at north end of CR 395. Maximum 6 participants per tour. Fixed price $30. ::MAP:: Click here to register
The following is a first hand account of a journey on the Riverwatch
As usual, eager to experience something new, I was on time as I headed into Point Washington to meet Kent Mundy of Wetland Wilderness Adventures for my next journey. As I arrived at the north end of CR 395, Kent had his boat prepped and in the water at the Tucker Bayou boat ramp.
Bunker creek.
“I’m always early and ready to go,” Kent quipped.
We headed out, and in a few minutes, Kent was navigating down the narrow waterway into the Bunker Creek area.
Everything slowed to a turtle’s pace, as the look and feel of old Florida came to life, as much of this area remains untouched by development.
The small community of Bunker Creek sits along the banks of the creek, and are mostly older homes nestled into the landscape. Bunker Creek is part of the area’s richness and history. Years ago a there was ferry access to Bunker, now the only road access is from Hwy. 79 in Panama City Beach.
It was effortless to become immersed in this three dimensional landscape of natural beauty. I soon appreciated why the folks of Bunker Creek live in this beautiful place off the beaten path.
Nothing better than a rope swing into 68 degree clear water on a hot summer day.
Walton County Park offers spectacular scenery both above and below the water line
Walton County offers many places to explore. In the summertime, the one that can’t be beat is Morrison Springs in the Northeastern part of the county.
Just south of Ponce De Leon, the 161-acre park is well known in the area, and popular with divers and nature enthusiasts across the south. Cypress trees abound around the spring with their crisp, bright green needles defining the landscape. The spring provides an aqua color inviting everyone in for a dip. Read More…
Driving down the sloping gravel road, I felt the temperature drop slightly, and soon noticed the changes in the flora as I ventured into the swamp forest of the Choctawhatchee River Basin.
About 1.7 miles down, I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland as she tumbled down the rabbit hole.
I finally arrived at the end of the road to Lost Lake; an oxbow-shaped lake filled with old-growth cypress trees and murky calm water. So quiet and peaceful, this place appeared frozen in time.
I felt I was intruding on Mother Nature’s artistry… an exemplary example of a swamp river forest, with the only interruption to this peaceful calm were water bugs, as they skated across the surface of the lake.
The lake hosts an astonishing panoramic view, with towering colossal cypress trees jutting from the water. I could not help but wonder how many years they have stood steadfast and strong in their magnificence.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker Ivoryu-billed Woodpecker illustration by J.J. Adubon (courtesy Cornell Lab of Ornithology). The painting is showing male (left) and female plumages, and individuals involved in characteristic foraging behavior – stripping bark from dead trees in search of beetle larvae.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Illustration by J.J. Audubon. (courtesy Audubon.org) The painting is showing male (left) and female plumages, and individuals involved in characteristic foraging behavior – stripping bark from dead trees in search of beetle larvae.
For the birder in you, Lost Lake is known to researchers and enthusiasts as a place to search for the elusive ivory-billed woodpecker. The old growth forest is the perfect habitat for the bird. For more information about the ivory-billed woodpecker go to: http://www.ivorybill.org/
Tilley Landing has primitive camping facilities, with a portable toilet available near the boat landing. Picnic areas are also available. The lake is most suitable for canoeing, kayaking, or small boats.
Tilley Landing is part of the Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area and managed in cooperation with Northwest Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Lost Lake is a peaceful place to have a picnic lunch, kayak/canoe, fish or bird watch. I regretted not making a box lunch for myself before I journeyed.
Directions:
From Freeport on SR 20 go east to SR 81 and head north. Go 6.7 miles. You will see the Tilley Landing sign on the right. Take the gravel road 1.7 miles to Lost Lake. Click here for map
Lori Ceier is the publisher of WaltonOutdoors.com, and can be reached via email at info@waltonoutdoors.com
Brad Smith, a biologist with the Audubon Coastal Bird Conservation Program; Frank Parauka, Fishery Biologist with the the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Bud Casey, a volunteer from Freeport. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
It’s not often one gets a chance to encounter a prehistoric creature. So when the opportunity arose to meet a fish with an ancestry that dates back 200 million years, well, I couldn’t pass.
Through Nov. 7, The Panama City Field Office of the Fish & Wildlife Service is conducting a Gulf sturgeon fish population census on the Choctawhatchee River.
I contacted Frank Parauka, Fishery Biologist with the FWS, and he was gracious enough to allow me to tag along on a tagging.
I arrived at the Bunker Creek base camp about an hour before the first net check. The nets had been cast earlier in the morning and by 9:30; it was time for the first inspection.
Along with Brad Smith, a biologist with the Audubon Coastal Bird Conservation Program; Bud Casey, a volunteer from Freeport; Frank and I set out on the research boat.
About 75 percent of the Choctawhatchee River is blocked with 4-5 nets, spanning across the river and placed about every 150 ft. The nets are checked every two hours for the sturgeon, and then taken up, after the last check in the evening.
The first three nets checked, no sturgeon. The nets were however, congested with jellyfish. Surprising to me that the jellyfish are found so far north up river. The jellies wreaked havoc on Frank and Bud’s footing as the slippery creatures fell on to the bow of the boat as they pulled the nets in.
Then the fourth net checked, BINGO! We’ve got a juvenile sturgeon!
The fish was pulled in and put into a live well on the Johnboat as Frank and Bud prepared the scale and the tagging equipment.
The fish was weighed, measured and tagged with a small plastic strip that was imprinted with a number for recordkeeping. A remote transmitter tag (similar to the chips we put in our cats and dogs) was attached to monitor the fish once it returns to the Gulf.
Then… it came time for my personal encounter.
“Are you ready, Lori?” Frank quipped.
I put my arms out willingly, and held the fish as Brad snapped a picture.
Yes, it's me holding a juvenile sturgeon. Brad Smith/wildlife biologist
“Wow, this guy is kind of slimy,” I said.
Brad told me the slimy feeling was from the fish triggering a natural defense mechanism that secretes from its skin.
“Oh!… I blurted squeamishly.” “I think he’s ready to get back into the river!”
I was in awe of how remarkable this creature looked and felt; the boney plates along its body, sculpted in curved ridges. It had a creamy, almost pinkish hue to it.
With a mouth that was underneath, similar to a catfish, its eyes looking downward, and its pointed snout, with sensor barbs sticking out like an old man’s whiskers, the sturgeon appeared valiant in a peculiar sort of way.
Once again, I was amazed by the biodiversity in our own back yard.
Thanks guys! I had a great time, and a wonderful learning experience. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a beautiful October morning.
Photo courtesy FWC
Facts about Gulf Sturgeon
• As of Oct. 20, the current study on the Choctawhatchee River has tagged and released 75 sturgeon, the largest weighing in at 130 lbs.
• Sturgeon travel the Choctawhatchee River as far north as Alabama to spawn.
• There are roughly 2,000-3,000 sturgeon in the Choctawhatchee River; second in numbers only to the Suwannee River.
• At the end of the spawning season, the fish migrate to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter months; staying near the coastline, in an area that spans from Louisiana east to the Suwannee River .
• It takes up to 15 years for a sturgeon to mature, with the females spawning only once every 3-5 years; and generally returning to spawn in the same river. Sturgeon have been know to live up to 70 years.
• Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), were on the verge of extinction until they became a federally threatened species in 1991.
Venture Walton is a feature column for outdoor enthusiasts in Walton County, Florida.
Lori Ceier is the publisher of waltonoutdoors.com, and can be reached via email at info@waltonoutdoors.com
As usual, eager to experience something new, I was on time as I headed into Point Washington to meet Kent Mundy of Wetland Wilderness Adventures for my next journey.
As I arrived at the north end of CR 395, Kent had his boat prepped and in the water at the Tucker Bayou boat ramp.
“I’m always early and ready to go,” he said.
We headed out, and in a few minutes, Kent was navigating down the narrow waterways into the Bunker Creek area.
Everything slowed to a turtle’s pace, as the look and feel of old Florida came to life.
Most of this area remains untouched by development.
The small community of Bunker Creek sits along the waterway; mostly older homes nestled into the landscape. Bunker Creek is part of the area’s richness and legacy.
It was effortless to become immersed in this three dimensional landscape of natural beauty. I soon appreciated why the folks of Bunker Creek live in this beautiful place off the beaten path.
As we headed further down the creek, white egrets and blue herons flew across the water gracefully, landing on the treetops; taking off as we approached, only to be spotted downstream, perched again.
Alligator along Bunker Creek. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Around the bend, we spotted an alligator sunning himself on a dead log jutting from the creek bed. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings, napping in the warm sun.
Soon it will be hibernation time for the gator. I wondered if he was storing up warmth for the winter as he was soaking up the sun.
A few minutes later, I spotted an osprey’s nest precariously balanced on top of a dead cypress tree, and close by were a couple of the raptors perched in the treetops, scanning the water for their next meal, no doubt.
We ventured into a few sloughs. These calm, undisturbed fingers off the creek offered a picture-perfect view closer in.
We stopped for a while… and listened to the quiet.
My mind opened up, and I quickly enjoyed lingering in this beautiful calm.
In this serene environment, my senses became more astute. I spotted a opossum foraging near the bank, nudging the dirt, probably looking for grubs in the ground, oblivious to our presence.
Youpan bush. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Cypress, bay, tupelo, wax myrtle and magnolia trees line the banks of these tributaries, some slowly shedding its leaves with the fall season.
Asters were in full-bloom along the water’s edge. Beautiful flecks of pale lavender, popping out in clusters, along with an occasional water lily, added a feminine touch to the landscape. Yaupon holly bushes were full of berries, casting a speckled orange highlight.
At the end of the excursion, we both smiled in retrospect, and agreed that Mother Nature was generous to us on this day.
Days later, I am still reminiscing.
Captain Kent Mundy. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
About Captain Mundy
Kent has been giving tours of the area since 2001. He provides a hands-on personal tour of the Choctawhatchee River and its tributaries, describing in detail the flora, fauna and history of the area.
Kent has been a resident of Walton County since 1986, and lives in Point Washington. He was the first certified outfitter licensed in the county.
Kent spends his summers in Alaska giving fishing expeditions in addition to his Wetland Wilderness Adventures offered in Walton.
The river tours are $150.00 and can host up to six people. Most tours are typically 2 – 2 ½ hours long.
Wetland Wilderness Adventures can be reached at (850) 534-0107 or (850) 865-0333. You can find more information at: http://southwaltonrivertours.com/
Venture Walton is a feature column for outdoor enthusiasts in Walton County, Florida.
Lori Ceier is the publisher of waltonoutdoors.com, and can be reached via email at info@waltonoutdoors.com
