Pafford’s Landing, Alapaha River Water Trail 2018-04-26

Looks like plenty of water at Pafford’s Landing to do another leg of the 2018 Alapaha Quest.

Upstream, Sandbar

Upstream, Sandbar

The Statenville Gauge showed 3.1 feet (79.2 NAVD88) when I took these pictures (12:30 PM Thursday, April 26, 2018), and four days later is down to 2.48 feet (78.58 NAVD88). That’s half a foot above our nominal lowest boatable level of 2′ (7.81 NAVD88).

Movie: Up and down (8.2M), Sandbar
Movie: Up and down (8.2M), Sandbar

Across, Alapaha River

The Alapaha, GA Gauge was at about 4.6 feet (212.2 NAVD88) and four days later is up to 7.25 feet (214.85 NAVD88). That’s still below our nominal 9′ (216.6 NAVD88) lowest boatable level, but we may have set that too high.

Across, Alapaha River

Movie: Around (6.9M), Alapaha River
Movie: Around (6.9M), Alapaha River

Across, Far side

On our March 4, 2018 paddle from Sheboggy to Rowetown Church, the Alapaha Gauge read 7.7′ (215.3 NAVD88), while the Statenville Gauge read about 6.2′ (82.3 NAVD88) and we had a fine time. Seems like we need to set the lowest boatable level higher for the Alapaha Gauge.

Across, Far side

Closeup across, Far side
Closeup across, Far side

Wrested vegetation, Far side
Wrested vegetation, Far side

Inland, In and up

So maybe the river level is a tad low for Sheboggy, but the current level on the Alapaha Gauge there is above our nominal 2′ (209.6 NAVD88) for Berrien Beach Boat Ramp. That water is heading downstream, so lower down the river should be high enough in a few days, for example at Pafford’s Landing or Lakeland Boat Ramp.

Inland, In and up

Up again, In and up
Up again, In and up

And upstream, In and up
And upstream, In and up

Wrong side of river, Eastbound sign

GDOT is moving these signs to the west side of the river, where they belong. There was confusion because the turnoff to Lakeland Boat Ramp is at the same place.

Wrong side of river, Eastbound sign

Closeup, Eastbound sign
Closeup, Eastbound sign

Wrong side, Westbound sign

Wrong side, Westbound sign

Closeup, Westbound sign
Closeup, Westbound sign

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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