Western Lake
Western Lake is a coastal dune lake in the WaterColor area of Walton County, Florida, along the shore where the Boathouse Paddle Club is located. It suits paddlers, anglers, birders and hikers who want a quiet freshwater-and-saltwater lake near the Gulf. The one thing to know is that Western Lake has only an intermittent connection to the Gulf through its natural outlet, and the source does not say whether the outlet is open today, so check before you go.
Should you go to Western Lake today?
Better pick another day
- 54% chance of thunderstorms in daylight.
- Breezy, up to 15 mph.
- Moderate rip current risk.
- Up to 77°F.
- Mon 2 Breezy, up to 15 mph
- Tue 3 Breezy, up to 15 mph
- Wed 4 58% chance of thunderstorms in daylight
- Thu 5 Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Fri 6 Light wind, up to 10 mph
Weather at Western Lake, today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 pm | Chance Showers And Thunderstorms | 75°F | E 15 mph | 51% |
| 2 pm | Chance Showers And Thunderstorms | 76°F | E 15 mph | 40% |
| 4 pm | Showers And Thunderstorms Likely | 77°F | E 15 mph | 54% |
Beach and surf
| Rip Current Risk | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Surf Height | Around 3 feet |
| Water Temperature | 74 degrees |
| UV Index | Low |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 5:58 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 4:57 pm |
Where to stay near Western Lake
Compare hotels and rentals close to Western Lake, with prices and availability for your dates.
What to bring to Western Lake
- Waterproof phone pouch: lets you keep your phone with you on the water
- Dry bag: keeps keys, wallet and a towel dry on a boat or kayak
- Water shoes: for rocky or shell-covered bottoms and hot docks
| Question visitors ask | Is Western Lake open to the Gulf? |
|---|---|
| County | Walton County |
| Official site | www.floridastateparks.org |
How do you get to Western Lake?
Western Lake is in the WaterColor area of Walton County, Florida. The Visit South Walton guide says the Boathouse Paddle Club in WaterColor sits right along the shore of Western Lake, which it calls the county's most popular coastal dune lake.
The guide names Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park as good launching points for the dune lakes, because both provide direct access to the lakes. The guide does not give parking details or directions for Western Lake itself, so check before you go.
Is Western Lake open to the Gulf?
Western Lake is one of the coastal dune lakes in Walton County that have an intermittent connection with the Gulf. The guide describes this connection as an "outfall" that lets fresh and salt water move in and out of the lake and helps the lake control flooding.
The guide does not say whether the outfall of Western Lake is open at the time of your visit. Check before you go, because the connection depends on conditions the guide does not describe.
What are the rules that protect the dune lakes?
Walton County has set protections for its coastal dune lakes, including erosion control and a detailed stormwater plan. The guide says that almost every coastal dune lake in the county has a 100-foot undisturbed shoreline setback buffer and a 50-foot undisturbed setback buffer on either side of its natural outlet.
Seawalls, bulkheads, revetments and rip-rap are all prohibited along these shorelines, according to the guide.
Western Lake: questions visitors ask
Is Western Lake open to the Gulf?
Western Lake has an intermittent connection with the Gulf through a natural outlet that the guide calls an outfall. The guide does not say whether the outlet is open now, so check before you go.
Where is Western Lake?
Western Lake is in the WaterColor area of Walton County, Florida. The Boathouse Paddle Club in WaterColor is located right along its shore.
What can you do at Western Lake?
The guide says the county's coastal dune lakes, including Western Lake, support fishing, birding, hiking, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The guide does not list specific rules or permits for Western Lake.
Where can you launch a kayak or paddleboard near Western Lake?
The guide names Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park as local state parks that provide direct access to the dune lakes. Check before you go for current access and parking.
Why is the water in Western Lake brown?
The guide says the brownish color of coastal dune lakes comes from the breakdown of organic matter, in the same way that tea steeps. The water supports a mix of saltwater and freshwater plants and animals.
Who looks after the coastal dune lakes in Walton County?
The guide says the county-appointed Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board has worked for 20 years on public education and recommendations to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, a county partner, handles education, outreach, water quality monitoring and removal of nuisance plants.
News about Western Lake
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