Muck, Sea Grass, and Barnacle Cycles on Lifts & Seawalls (Orange Beach & Ono Island)

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

Living and working on the water in Orange Beach and along Ono Island, I see the same seasonal story play out on boat lifts and seawalls: spring warmth wakes up growth, summer accelerates it, fall storms push wrack into corners, and winter finally gives us a breather. Below is how I set expectations with buyers and owners—and the simple, realistic maintenance cadence I use myself—so small messes don’t become big repairs.

For on slip layouts, lifts, and canal living, see my boating guide: Boating Amenities on the Gulf Coast.

What builds up—and where it shows up locally

Muck (fine silt + organic film)

• Most noticeable after heavy rains that feed Cotton Bayou, Terry Cove, and canal systems off Bayou St. John.
• Settles in calm corners: seawall toes, around ladders, cradle crossbeams that sit just above the waterline.

Sea grass wrack (floating mats/strands)

• Late spring through summer (and again after fall blows) when onshore winds push wrack into canals and along Old River on the south side of Ono Island.
• Wrack is mostly harmless but traps moisture against metals and hides new barnacles.

Barnacles & hard growth

• Peak settlement late spring–early fall in warm, nutrient-rich water.
• Fastest on rough, shaded, always-damp surfaces: lift brackets, ladder rungs, and seawall joints.
• Growth slows in winter—prime time for deep cleaning and coatings.

Why it matters (beyond looks)

• Lift longevity: Barnacles hold salt and moisture against bolts, sheaves, and cables—speeding corrosion.
• Seawall health: Wrack blocks weep holes and keeps joints damp, masking hairline cracks.
• Safety: Slippery ladders and sharp growth on steps are avoidable hazards.
• Boat finish: Neglected growth at the waterline makes spring clean-up slower and pricier.

My Orange Beach / Ono Island Maintenance Cadence

Weekly (5–10 minutes)

• Rinse after use: Fresh-water hose on lift beams, cables, and brackets—especially after a run through Perdido Pass spray.
• Store high & dry: Raise the cradle so crossbeams and bunks fully dry; “always damp” means “always growing.”
• Net the corners: Scoop sea grass that collects at the ladder or seawall corner before it cakes.

Monthly (20–30 minutes)

• Brush & plastic-scrape: Knock off new barnacles before they harden. Avoid metal scrapers on aluminum and gelcoat.
• Cable check: Look for rust tea-staining, broken strands, or kinks. Rinse again.
• Open the weeps: Confirm seawall weep holes aren’t clogged—clear gently (don’t blast them closed with a pressure washer).
• Hardware glance: Snug ladder mounts, bunk lags, and cradle arm bolts.

Quarterly (seasonal)

• Eco-clean spots: Use marine-safe descaler on heavy deposits; collect solids—don’t slough into the canal.
• Lube & protect: Grease pulleys (as specified) and refresh anti-corrosion spray on exposed steel (not belts/brakes).
• Anodes: Inspect and replace sacrificial anodes on metal components in/near the water.
• Seawall walk: At low tide, check cap, joints, and toe for scour or gaps—especially after big southeast blows.

Pre-storm setup

• Raise the cradle to storm height, secure lines, shut shore power if your installer recommends.
• Stow loose items, pull the ladder if practical, and clear wrack traps.
• Take simple “before” photos for your file.

Post-storm reset

• Rinse everything with fresh water.
• Clear new wrack piles quickly; check for fresh cracks or displaced riprap.
• Re-check weep holes along the wall.

Annual (winter window)

• Deep service: Pro check of motors, gearboxes, cables, and GFCI.
• Coatings: Touch up protective coatings while growth is slow.
• Level & align: Re-level bunks so the hull sits evenly.

Micro-patterns I watch (local to our waterways)

• Onshore southeast wind + outgoing tide: pushes grass into Terry Cove and canal heads; expect wrack lines on seawalls.
• Calm, hot weeks: fastest barnacle settlement—double down on rinsing and monthly scrapes.
• North winds after fronts: clearer water and less floating grass in Old River—great time to do the heavier cleaning.
• Shoulder seasons: growth tapers, but wrack can spike after fall fronts—keep ladders and steps clear.

Do’s & don’ts I share with clients

Do

• Use plastic scrapers and stiff brushes; collect chips/wrack and dispose properly.
• Keep ropes and fenders out of the water when stored.
• Choose marine-safe, biodegradable cleaners and follow local rules.
• Combine seawall checks with lift checks; problems often show up together.

Don’t

• Don’t acid-wash near aluminum or let harsh chemicals run into canals.
• Don’t pressure-wash weep holes shut—open them gently.
• Don’t leave the cradle barely above the surface—raise it enough to dry.

If you’d like a site-specific cadence for your canal or Old River frontage—or intros to trusted lift and seawall pros in Orange Beach and on Ono Island—I’m happy to share my short list and tailor a plan.

Meredith Amon is a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. I help buyers and sellers navigate waterfront living—from pier permits and lifts to the day-to-day care that protects your investment.