Monthly Archives: August 2023

Campfire Cooking at Griffis Fish Camp and Suwannee River paddle, 2023-12-08-10

Update 2023-12-01: South Georgia Naturalist Chris Adams to speak at WWALS Griffis Fish Campout and Okefenokee Swamp and Suwannee River Paddle 2023-11-08.

Join us to camp overnight Friday at Griffis Fish Camp.

On Saturday, paddle 9.5 miles down the Suwannee River from SCFSP through the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the Narrows, and the Sill to Griffis, to camp overnight again.

Each night, build a campfire and start cooking.

When: Arrive 4 PM, Friday, December 8, 2023, sunset 5:26 PM.
Gather 9 AM, Saturday, December 9, 2023, launch 9:30 AM, sunset 5:26 PM
Sunday, December 10, 2023, wake up and head on home.

Campground: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left, in Clinch County.

Campground GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594

Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park, in Charlton County.

Put In GPS: 30.826833, -82.361333

[Suwannee River, Okefenokee Swamp, Griffis Fish Camp, Campfire Cooking]
Suwannee River, Okefenokee Swamp, Griffis Fish Camp, Campfire Cooking

Continue reading →

Levy county sand mine petition 2023-08-11

Update 2023-11-07: Sand Mine Special Exception at Levy County Commission 2023-12-05.

Follow this link for the petition:

https://chng.it/kNchfFP5Kn

[Mining trucks and cows]
Mining trucks and cows

NO Special Exceptions for Mining in Rural Neighborhoods,

Started August 11, 2023, by Kim Wheeler

Why this petition matters

Currently, Levy County allows major mining in Agricultural/Rural Residential and Forestry/Rural Residential zoned areas of the county by ‘Special Exception’, which is a lengthy and cumbersome process for the county, and a great problem for the rural residents that might be impacted by such mining and the resulting traffic generated. Therefore, we are requesting that the major mining use no longer be allowed in Ag/RR and F/RR areas of the county. Existing mines would be ‘grandfathered’ in, but no new mines allowed. Mines would still be allowed in Industrial zoned areas. There are some 12-15 mines in the county now.

Hazards presented by mining include Continue reading →

Okefenokee Floyd’s Island Campout, Suwannee River, 2023-11-04-5

Update 2023-11-18: Pictures: Arriving Floyd’s Island, Okefenokee Swamp 2023-11-04.

Update 2023-09-06: The park limits reservations on Floyd’s Island to 20 people. To reserve your spot, RSVP on the meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/295388408/
You will also need to pay for your 20th of the reservation fee through the eventbrite ticket you will find on the meetup.

Update 2023-09-05: Floyd’s Island is reserved for WWALS for this outing.

Update 2023-08-14: SCFSP campsite is closed for renovations from November 1, 2023, until January 2025. But you can still pre-camp at Griffis Fish Camp if you reserve early.

Join us (pending a reservation for the island) to paddle 9 miles upstream in the Okefenokee for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island, which is the most remote place in Georgia: the farthest from any road, with very dark sky.

This primitive campout is a remote wilderness experience in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, appropriate for any level but be sure that you’re comfortable paddling your loaded kayak 9 miles against a current to get to the island. There is only one rest stop on the trail, Minnie’s Lake Platform at the 4 mile mark.

Coming back on Sunday the current will be with us all the way, making for an easy trip out on the most scenic trail in the swamp with plenty of wildlife viewing.

There is a portapotty at Minnie’s Lake and another at Floyd’s Island. No potable water, bring everything you need for two days. There is plenty of room for any type tent or hammock. The historic Floyd’s Cabin is also open.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023, overnight and return Sunday

Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp (SCFSP), 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Plan accordingly to arrive on time, phone service is mostly nonexistent once you leave Fargo, Ga. and drive the 17 miles to Stephen C. Foster State Park.

GPS: 30.826833, -82.361333

[Ready at SCFSP John S. Quarterman 2022-11-19, at Floyd's Island --Gretchen Quarterman 2022-11-06]
Ready at SCFSP John S. Quarterman 2022-11-19, at Floyd’s Island –Gretchen Quarterman 2022-11-06

Continue reading →

PSA and flyer for WWALS River Revue: come hear speakers and ten finalists in the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

Update 2023-09-16: Ten Songwriters in Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest in WWALS River Revue.

Thanks to all the ten songwriters who sent in songs, and the ten sponsors (so far), as well as the two speakers.

Please see the attached flyer, and we hope you will play the attached Public Service Announcement.

[WWALS River Revue Flyer 2023]
WWALS River Revue Flyer 2023
PDF

Tickets are available online in advance only:
https://www.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsriverrevue2023/

Follow the same link for how to become a sponsor.

Contact: John S. Quarterman
Suwannee Riverkeeper
song@suwanneeriverkeeper.org
850-290-2350

===

Withlacoochee River and creeks bad upstream 2023-08-10

Franklinville Road on the Withlacoochee River above Valdosta was above the one-time test limit for E. coli, as was Crawford Branch, plus Sugar Creek which drains most of Valdosta was even higher, in WWALS sampling for Thursday.

We are still short-handed for WWALS volunteer water quality testers. Maybe you’d like to become one; please fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/DzWvJuXqTQi12N6v7

No new sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia or Florida.

There has been no rain in the past few days to wash contamination into the rivers and creeks.

Some got in there anyway.

So I’d avoid the upper reaches of the Withlacoochee River, at least avoid above the Little River Confluence.

Maybe you’d like to join us tomorrow morning on to paddle Naylor to Mayday on the Alapaha River. Beware: this paddle has many shoals, and is for experts.

[Chart, River and Creeks, Swim Guide 2023-08-10]
Chart, River and Creeks, Swim Guide 2023-08-10

The Sugar Creek result may be due to ongoing effects from Valdosta’s July 17th 6,000 gallon sewage spill into Hightower Creek “behind the Target,” reported as at 1700 block River Street. We have no new Valdosta test results related to that spill.

The most recent results we have from Valdosta are for Wednesday upstream and Friday downstream.

For Wednesday Valdosta got too-high results for US 41, Continue reading →

New WWALS Board Member Kimberly Godden Tanner 2023-07-09

Please welcome Kimberly Godden Tanner, who was one of several new members elected to the WWALS Board at the July Annual Members Meeting.

[Kimberly Godden Tanner]
Kimberly Godden Tanner

Here’s what Kim Tanner wrote about herself, including her experience in water quality testing.

Maybe you, like her, would like to do water quality testing for WWALS. If so, please fill out the application form.
https://forms.gle/Qe4gdPgisUDBKUAQ7

Kimberly Tanner (post 3, 2023-2024)

Continue reading →

Langdale Park Withlacoochee River Cleanup 2023-10-20

Update 2023-10-26: Pictures: Langdale Park Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2023-10-20.

Update 2023-10-19: Mostly on land: Langdale Park Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2023-10-20.

Join us for a WWALS paddle cleanup during United Way Day of Caring.

Outings leader Russell Allen McBride will scout the Withlacoochee River upstream and down from Langdale Park Boat Ramp, and will let us know the exact route at the outing.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 1 PM, Friday, October 20, 2023

Put In: Langdale Park Boat Ramp, 3781 N. Valdosta Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602, in Lowndes County.

GPS: 30.88747, -83.32395, -83.32395

[Langdale Park Boat Ramp 2022-11-03, Withlacoochee River upstream and down 2022-11-13, and Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail sign]
Langdale Park Boat Ramp 2022-11-03, Withlacoochee River upstream and down 2022-11-13, and Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail sign

Continue reading →

Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle in Lanier County Advocate 2023-08-01

Thanks to “friendly, bubbly” Meredith Crosby for leading this outing, to Rebecca Galardo for reporting on it, to Tony Galardo for taking her out in the Lanier EMA boat to do that, thanks to James Barnes, Lanier County Code Enforcement, for unlocking the boats, and thanks to Lanier County for letting WWALS rent the boats to paddlers for free.

[WWALS Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle in Lanier County Advocate]
WWALS Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle in Lanier County Advocate

Plus of course thanks to everyone who paddled on the Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle, 2023-08-01. The next full moon paddle is at the end of August: Banks Lake Full Blue Supermoon Paddle 2023-08-30.

For more WWALS outings, see:
https://wwals.net/outings

Rebecca Galardo, Lanier County Advocate, Banks Lake paddling event held August 1, Continue reading →

Chainsaw cleanup, Outings, Boat Ramps, Okefenokee Swamp –Suwannee Riverkeeper @ Clinch County Commission 2023-08-07

Update 2023-09-12: Clinch County Resolution against strip mine, for Okefenokee Swamp 2023-09-11.

In addition to its usual business of roads and taxes, the Clinch County Commission discussed with Suwannee Riverkeeper outings, boat ramps, and a proposed resolution against the strip mine too near the Okefenokee Swamp.

[Collage @ Clinch County Commission 2023-08-07]
Collage @ Clinch County Commission 2023-08-07

For the boat ramp, Clinch County can apply to the GA-DNR Recreational Trails Program, Nonmotorized. Andrew Schock, writing for the landowner, The Conservation Fund, sent a letter saying that among the half a dozen possibilities he favors Drawdy Mill Landing on Drawdy Mill Road, which is about half way between Griffis Fish Camp and Fargo Boat Ramp.

For the resolution supporting the Okefenokee Swamp and the Suwannee River against the proposed strip mine, the Commissioners chose to take another month to read it thoroughly, with a vote next month, which should be 6PM, Monday, September 4, 2023. The resolutions already passed by other cities and counties, including the one passed last week by Echols County, are on the WWALS website. For more about that mine, see
https://wwals.net/issues/titanium-mining

Thanks to Chairman Henry Moylan and the Commissioners for their hospitality, to Clinch County Administrator Jaclyn James for ongoing communications, and to WWALS member Etta Lee for talking to Commissioners and for being at the meeting; also for dinner.

Below are pictures, videos by Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange of the relevant agenda item, and links to documents.

Here is a WWALS video playlist of the relevant LAKE videos.

For the entire meeting, see the LAKE blog post, Videos: Boat Ramps, Okefenokee Swamp, LMIG, Taxes @ Clinch County Commission 2023-08-07.

Continue reading →

Bad water quality upstream Withlacoochee River 2023-08-07

Update 2023-08-18: Rivers clean again 2023-08-17.

Valdosta reported bad water quality at US 41 for Friday, and for there, GA 133, and US 84 for Monday.

I’d avoid that stretch of the Withlacoochee River until better results are reported by Valdosta or by WWALS. WWALS will sample again Thursday, as usual.

[Bad upstream Withlacoochee River water quality 2023-08-07]
Bad upstream Withlacoochee River water quality 2023-08-07

No new sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia or Florida.

There was spotty rain last weekend and before, but what is washing into the Withlacoochee River? More testing is needed to determine that. WWALS is looking into that.

This data about bad Fecal coliform and E. coli appears on Valdosta’s website and we add it to our WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality, rainfall, and sewage spills, as well as to the smartphone app Swim Guide

[Bad Water Quality, Upstream Withlacoochee River, Swim Guide 2023-08-07]
Bad Water Quality, Upstream Withlacoochee River, 2023-08-07, Swim Guide
For context and the entire WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills, see:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing

For comparison, here is a map of public landings in the same testing area. Continue reading →