Byron Herder sent these pictures Saturday.
![[Low Suwannee River with spring water 2025-11-15, Alapaha River Rise and new springs --Byron Herder]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-15--low-suwannee-and-springs/igmany.jpg)
Low Suwannee River with spring water 2025-11-15, Alapaha River Rise and new springs –Byron Herder
He wrote, “Suwannee was clear. It’s clear now. I believe it’s mostly spring water now. Def see 3x usual.” Continue reading
I went to see the Withlacoochee Trickle at Hagan Bridge Landing on GA 122 east of Hahira.
You could jump across it.
We need rain.
![[Withlacoochee Trickle, Hagan Bridge Landing, 2025-11-17, GA 122 east of Hahira, Lowndes County, GA]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-17--withlacoochee-trickle-hagan-bridge/fbmany.jpg)
Withlacoochee Trickle, Hagan Bridge Landing, 2025-11-17, GA 122 east of Hahira, Lowndes County, GA
On the Skipper Bridge Gauge, the level was 122.52 feet NAVD88 (2.22 feet from bottom). Our recommended levels are Lowest boatable: 122.6′, Highest safe: 131′.
You could paddle through the trickle, but I doubt you’d get through much of the 5 river miles to Franklinville Landing without having to climb over or under or chainsaw through deadfalls from Hurricane Helene.
Here’s a video:
https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/1175008301254844
Update 2025-11-16: Open the Okefenokee Gates 2025-11-15. Actually, they’re always open. And no, there are no datacenters upstream from Fargo.
Shirley Kokidko reported Wednesday from Fargo Ramp on the Suwannee River.
She says it’s as far from the dry bottom of the ramp to the river as from the top to the bottom of the ramp, and you can easily walk across the river.
![[Very low water, Fargo Ramp 2025-11-12, Suwannee River, and deadfalls]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-12--fargo-ramp/fbmany.jpg)
Very low water, Fargo Ramp 2025-11-12, Suwannee River, and deadfalls
The Fargo Gauge read 1.55 feet (92.55 feet NAVD88) at 3:45 PM Wednesday, November 12, 2025. It’s slightly lower than that now (9:30 AM Saturday).
Here’s a video Shirley took:
https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/1946665392780126
https://youtu.be/dleioAiFApk
There were no power boat trailers parked, presumably because there’s no water to immerse the trailer. Even if you dragged a power boat into the river, the prop would be on the bottom.
Also, she wrote, “The first blockage after the bridge, there is room on the left to get by. I didn’t go further, too many trees in the river at this low level.”
That’s the blockage we call US 441 Deadfalls on the WWALS map of the Suwannee River Water Trail.
She did paddle upstream, and reported there was difficulty even getting past the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, as well as some dragging-low water above that. Continue reading
The Santa Fe River and the Withlacoochee River downstream tested clean for Wednesday.
But WWALS got too-high results at the WaterGoat on Sugar Creek for Monday, and both WWALS and Valdosta Utilities got too-high results upstream on Hightower Creek at St. Augustine Road. In addition, Valdosta Utilities got too high at GA 133 on the Withlacoochee River downstream from Sugar Creek.
These continuing high Sugar Creek results are still mysterious, especially given no rain to wash residue downstream.
No sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in the past week in Georgia or Florida, except a small spill from a force main break Monday in downtown Chiefland, Levy County, Florida.
No rain is expected for the next week.
So I’d avoid Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River near it. Other than that, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend. If you can find enough water to do those things. Maybe far downstream on the Withlacoochee or Suwannee Rivers.
Or join us next Saturday, November 22, for Knights Ferry to Nankin Clean Up, Withlacoochee River 2025-11-22.
This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.
![[Clean Santa Fe River and Withlacoochee downstream, Dirty Hightower and Sugar Creek, 2025-11-12]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-12--wq/many.jpg)
Clean Santa Fe River and Withlacoochee downstream, Dirty Hightower and Sugar Creek, 2025-11-12
Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results
rainfall
and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results
The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading
Thanks, Heather Brasell for helping Gretchen Quarterman at the WWALS Booth at the Alapaha Station Celebration in Alapaha, Georgia, near Sheboggy Boat Ramp on the Alapaha River, the most upstream public landing on the WWALS Alapaha River Water Trail.
Notice the new tablecloth with the Suwannee Riverkeeper logo. Much easier than tying a banner to the front of the table.
![[Alapaha Station Celebration, Alapaha, Georgia, Thanks, Gretchen and Heather, Heavy Rain 2025-11-08]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-08--alapaha-station-celebration-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Alapaha Station Celebration, Alapaha, Georgia, Thanks, Gretchen and Heather, Heavy Rain 2025-11-08
Gretchen wrote:
Sun is out at the WWALS Booth at Alapaha Station Celebration. Continue reading
Update 2025-11-15: Clean Santa Fe River and Withlacoochee downstream; Dirty Hightower and Sugar Creek 2025-11-12.
The Withlacoochee River tested clean downstream for Wednesday and Thursday. We also have a completely clean Suwannee River result for last Wednesday.
But Valdosta Utilities again got too-high results upstream on Sugar Creek at Gornto Road and Baytree Road.
However, Valdosta got OK results for the Withlacoochee River Upstream at US 41, and OK downstream at GA 133, plus clean farther downstream at US 84, matching an even cleaner WWALS result on the Withlacoochee almost down at the Suwannee.
So these continuing high Sugar Creek results are still mysterious, especially given no rain to wash residue downstream
No sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in the past week in Georgia or Florida.
It might rain Saturday morning. Other than that, no rain is expected for the next ten days.
So I’d avoid Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River near it. Other than that, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend.
Or join us tomorrow (Saturday, November 8) at one of two festivals in two states:
This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.
![[Clean Withlacoochee River, Dirty Sugar Creek, Might rain Saturday, 2025-11-06]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-06--wq/many.jpg)
Clean Withlacoochee River, Dirty Sugar Creek, Might rain Saturday, 2025-11-06
Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results
rainfall
and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results
The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading
Update 2025-11-07: Clean Withlacoochee River, Dirty Sugar Creek 2025-11-06.
WWALS got a very clean result for the Santa Fe River for Wednesday, and pretty clean for the Alapaha River for Thursday.
Even for Sugar Creek, WWALS got an OK result for Wednesday at the WaterGoat. But Valdosta Utilities again got too-high results upstream on Sugar Creek at Gornto Road and Baytree Road.
However, Valdosta got OK results for the Withlacoochee River Upstream at US 41, and OK downstream at GA 133, plus clean farther downstream at US 84.
So these continuing high Sugar Creek results are still mysterious, especially given no rain to wash residue downstream
No sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in the past week in Georgia or Florida.
No rain is expected for the next ten days.
So I’d avoid Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River near it. Other than that, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend.
Or join us tomorrow (Saturday, November 1) to Hike with a Geologist to a Spring, the Dead River Sink, and the Dry Alapaha River.
This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.
![[Clean Santa Fe, Alapaha, Withlacoochee Rivers, Sugar Creek mixed, 2025-10-30]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-10-30--wq/many.jpg)
Clean Santa Fe, Alapaha, Withlacoochee Rivers, Sugar Creek mixed, 2025-10-30
Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results
rainfall
and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results
The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading
Update 2025-10-30: Clean Santa Fe, Alapaha, Withlacoochee Rivers; Sugar Creek mixed 2025-10-30.
WWALS got very clean results for the Alapaha and Santa Fe Rivers for Thursday and Wednesday.
Also for Wednesday, a WWALS sample of Sugar Creek at the WaterGoat got lower results than Valdosta’s Tuesday upstream Sugar Creek samples.
I hear there was a water main break upstream on Hightower Creek. Maybe that or something else washed something into Sugar Creek and on out.
As noted yesterday, Valdosta will continue to test Sugar Creek for at least the next two weeks. And the Withlacoochee River for Tuesday both at US 41 (upstream from Sugar Creek) and at GA 133 (downstream).
No sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in the past week in Georgia or Florida.
It might rain Monday. Otherwise the long dry spell continues indefinitely.
So I’d avoid Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River near it. Other than that, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend.
This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.
Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results
The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading
Update 2025-10-23: Sewer System Repairs and Water Quality Testing by Valdosta Utilities 2025-10-21.
A WWALS water quality sample Friday at the WaterGoat on Sugar Creek tested at the alert limit for E. coli, and higher than the previous week.
This result is consistent with the higher result Valdosta Utilities got for Thursday at GA 133 on the Withlacoochee River, which was also higher than the previous week.
And it is consistent with the results Valdosta Utilities got two weeks ago at Gornto Road on Sugar Creek and at GA 133. That day, October 2, 2025, Valdosta Utilities got even higher results at St. Augustine Road on Hightower Creek.
Yet after October 2 Valdosta Utilities ceased testing Sugar Creek, One Mile Branch, and Hightower Creek, as well as North Valdosta Road on the Withlacoochee River, after the four weeks of testing required by GA-EPD after major spills had expired.
There has been no significant rain for weeks. It is very difficult to explain these high Sugar Creek results as residue of previous sewage spills washing downstream, when there has been no rain to wash it down.
Maybe Valdosta Utilities should look for a sewage leak on Hightower Creek upstream from St. Augustine Road.
And if Valdosta won’t voluntarily continue testing when results are too high, maybe it’s time to ask the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA-EPD) to require the city to do so.
This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.
![[Filthy Sugar Creek Friday, WWALS 2025-10-17, Consistent with GA 133, Valdosta Utilities 2025-10-16]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-10-17--wq/many.jpg)
Filthy Sugar Creek Friday, WWALS 2025-10-17, Consistent with GA 133, Valdosta Utilities 2025-10-16
Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results
The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading
Update 2025-10-19: Filthy Sugar Creek 2025-10-17.
The last water quality test for Sugar Creek that we have is by WWALS for last Friday, and that was a too-high 633 cfu/100 mL E. coli.
For this Thursday, Valdosta Utilities got 480 at GA 133 on the Withlacoochee River, downstream of Sugar Creek, higher than the one-time test limit of 410, and higher than 400 last week. Yet Valdosta Utilities got a pretty clean 120 farther downstream at US 84, lower than 180 last week.
It is likely that Sugar Creek was still too high Thursday. We don’t know, because Valdosta Utilities last week ceased testing Sugar Creek, One Mile Branch, and Hightower Creek, as well as North Valdosta Road on the Withlacoochee River. This was apparently because the four weeks of testing required by GA-EPD after major spills had expired. Never mind that Valdosta Utilities’ last result on Sugar Creek was too high.
WWALS testers got a very clean zero result on the Santa Fe River for Wednesday.
No new sewage spills have been reported in the past week in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia or Florida.
There’s a chance of storms Sunday afternoon, otherwise it’s supposed to be mostly sunny for the next ten days.
I’d avoid Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River near it, Other than that, happy paddling, boating, swimming, and fishing this weekend.
This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.
![[Too much E. coli at Sugar Creek WaterGoat, Problematical Withlacoochee River, 2025-10-16]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-10-16--wq/many.jpg)
Too much E. coli at Sugar Creek WaterGoat, Problematical Withlacoochee River, 2025-10-16
Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results
The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading
![[Clean Alapaha River 2025-10-23, Clean Santa Fe River 2025-10-22, Clean Withlacoochee Downstream & Problem Sugar Creek 2025-10-21]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-10-22--wq/many.jpg)