© 2024 WLRN
MIAMI | SOUTH FLORIDA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
When it comes to climate change, one thing is certain: our oceans are rising. And South Florida is expected to be among the first regions on Earth to experience the impact. In fact, some initial preparations are already underway. WLRN-Miami Herald News presents a series of stories about the effects of sea-level rise. The project is called “Elevation Zero: Rising Seas In South Florida." Click through the pages below to see our entire archive of Elevation Zero stories.

The Lake Worth Lagoon Has Overcome A Lot. Climate Change Is A New Threat

Kate Stein
/
WLRN
The Lake Worth Lagoon, as seen from a boardwalk at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

The story of the Lake Worth Lagoon is a tale of survival.

Over the past 100  years, urbanization has imperiled the intracoastal area between Palm Beach County’s barrier islands and the mainland. Settlers and developers dug inlets that introduced saltwater into the freshwater lagoon, making it brackish. Species from oysters and sea turtles to mangroves and seagrasses suffered.

Credit Kate Stein / WLRN
/
WLRN
Paul Davis, a former coastal resources director for Palm Beach County, recounts the history of the Lake Worth Lagoon to visitors at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

"Part of the lagoon near the West Palm Beach Canal, it was considered a dead zone," said Paul Davis, a retired director of the coastal division for Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resources Management. "Nothing could grow there and it was unlikely that anything would grow there."

But local conservation efforts helped get state and federal restoration funding. Water quality improved and populations of oysters, seagrass, mangroves and sea turtles grew. Ecotourism trips brought visitors and elected officials to see restored islandsand the return of species including the oystercatcher.

In the past five years or so, however, lagoon conditions appear to have worsened again. Davis says in particular, there’s been a reduction in sea grass, and that the changes may be linked to climate change.

"Our typical rainy season is no longer as wet as it used to be," he said. "Our dry season is a lot wetter than it used to be."

Credit Kate Stein / WLRN
/
WLRN
Of all the habitats in the Lake Worth Lagoon, the gently sloping nearshore areas have the most plants and aquatic animals. They're also being lost quickly: Former Palm Beach County coastal director Paul Davis says seawalls have been built along the majority of the lagoon's coastline.

The seagrass decline could also be related to changes in water quality, or changes in wave patterns from seawalls and boats. Sea level rise may exacerbate some of those threats, as people build higher seawalls and saltwater pushes farther inland.

But Davis says the situation isn’t hopeless. He says the lagoon is resilient and can recover -- again -- if people "have the fortitude and determination" to address urbanization-related issues.

"I've seen tremendous changes, things that would we would not have expected to occur," he said. "It can be done."

More On This Topic