Sarasota County commissioners receive positive Midnight Pass update

A naturally reopened inlet in Sarasota County is showing strong stability and environmental benefits, local leaders learned Tuesday.Sarasota County inlet surveyMidnight Pass reopened naturally during the 2024 hurricane season, bringing noticeable improvements to water quality and the local environment. About 90 surveys show the inlet is holding strong, reaching a depth of 16 feet and achieving dynamic stability. A researcher reported that the majority of flow travels through the east channel. The maximum total flow reaches roughly 100 cubic meters per second, enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in under 25 seconds."It is a regional opportunity for recreation, it is a heavily utilized pass," said Dr. Michael Jenkins, the senior principal at Geosyntec. "It is improving the overall health of the lagoon system. We are seeing greater water exchange in the inlet. We are seeing greater water quality within the lagoon. That will pay off dividends years to come regarding seagrass, reg