Ocean Lakes

On September 30th, Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina as a Category 1 storm. While making its way through our area, Hurricane Ian destroyed several sections of our precious dunes.  Some may think we are exaggerating when we say “precious sand dunes;” however, they are extremely valuable to coastal regions. Let’s take a moment to learn about the sand dunes and discuss the safety risks, as well as the laws surrounding the dunes. October 27th - The current state of the dunes. Dunes’ Purpose | The sand dunes are the first line of defense when a storm impacts our area, protecting property from damage caused by high winds, storm surges, waves, and tides.  September 30th - During IAN. Not only are they essential during storms, but sand dunes are very helpful during erosional times. When this sand reserve is unavailable, ocean waves often rush upland, taking high ground instead. Vegetation | One of the most effective and aesthetically pleasing ways to build and stabilize a...

The much-needed beach renourishment work has reached the beach by Ocean Lakes Family Campground. Crews have been steadily progressing up the beach. Officials cannot pinpoint an exact day when the work will be complete by Ocean Lakes because of factors including weather (not only on the beach but out in the ocean where the boosters operate) and potential mechanical issues. The project pumps sand from offshore onto the beach, where crews use front-end loaders and other heavy equipment to distribute the sand and build up the beach. Here are a few key things to remember as the work is in progress on the beach by Ocean Lakes: Will I still have access to the beach? Yes. Crews are blocking off 1,000-foot sections of beach at a time for the work and anticipate each section will be closed about two or three days.  The beach by Ocean Lakes stretches nearly 5,000 feet, so guests still will have access to the majority of the beach by Ocean Lakes at any...

Crews are setting up equipment and prepping to start the much-needed beach renourishment project at the end of this week in Surfside Beach, with plans for the work to begin on the beach by Ocean Lakes in early August. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., the contractor on the $26.3 million beach renourishment project , is busy getting equipment in place at Sixth Avenue North in Surfside Beach. Crews plan to start pumping sand there at the end of this week, then work up the beach towards Ocean Lakes Family Campground. Crews with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. were continuing to set up equipment Monday at Sixth Avenue North in Surfside Beach. The contractor plans to start pumping sand there at the end of the week. The work is expected to reach the beach by Ocean Lakes in early August. Barring bad weather or mechanical delays, the work will begin on the beach by Ocean Lakes two weeks after it starts in Surfside Beach, Ed O’Dowd, Site Manager with Great Lakes Dredge & Doc...

Crews will start a much-needed beach renourishment project later this month, but beach-goers will still be able to use most of the beach by Ocean Lakes during the work. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that the $26.3 million renourishment project will start near the Surfside Beach Pier around July 15 and proceed up the beach to Ocean Lakes Family Campground and Myrtle Beach State Park. The Corps set the timing of the project, which was beyond Ocean Lakes’ control. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. will work in 1,000-foot-long sections that will be fenced off for roughly two or three days, then crews will move to the next section, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The beach by Ocean Lakes stretches nearly 5,000 feet, so most of the beach by the campground will be available to beach-goers at any given time during the work. Beach-goers may find their favorite spot on the beach being worked on and unavailable, but they will be able to move ...

Beach lifeguard Laurie Mathieu has one big piece of advice for beach-goers as we head into the busy summer season: Watch your kids on the beach. A sure sign that summer is right around the corner: Lifeguards are back on the beach by Ocean Lakes Family Campground. Lifeguard Laurie Mathieu (above) urges beach-goers to watch their kids and obey the rules lifeguards give them. Lost children are one of the most common issues beach lifeguards encounter during the busy summer season but is easily avoidable if parents keep a watchful eye on their little ones. It can be very easy for kids to get disoriented on the beach – especially when it’s full of activity and beach-goers. Beach access points can look very similar from the beach. And kids playing in the waves can drift down the beach in the ocean from their towels on the sand, then not know which way to go when they get out of the water. “Watch their kids and listen to the lifeguards,” said Mathieu, who has been a lifeguar...