Cancelled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17 | WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled due to water too high and fast, especially in the Suwannee River, which is still rising.

Due to Tropical Storm Debbie, pushed back a week to August 17, 2024.

Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.

Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.

We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.

We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024

Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.

GPS: 30.528956, -83.039627

Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise

Take Out: Gibson Park Boat Ramp, 6844 SW CR 751, Jasper, FL 32052. Right bank, west side of the river. From Jasper, Hamilton County, FL, travel southwest on Right bank. SW CR 249 to SW CR 751; turn left and boat ramp is on the right in Gibson Park, in Hamilton County, Florida.

Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit.
Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.

Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings

We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/500770179272111/
https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/302534170/

Paddle: 12.3 miles, 5 hours.

Shuttle: 17 miles round trip, 25 minutes.

Host: Shirley Kokidko

Contact: Shirley Kokidko

Gauge: Jennings. Lowest boatable 65 feet (4.4′); highest safe 76 feet (15.4′)
Right now, the Jennings gauge is within those limits.
The Jennings gauge has no prediction.
But upstream (Statenville) and downstream (Ellaville) gauges predict flood by August 10.

Upstream Gauge: Statenville

Statenville Gauge, Alapaha River, 2024-08-04, flood predicted

Downstream Gauge: Ellavile on the Suwannee River

Ellaville Gauge, Suwannee River, 2024-08-04, flood predicted

Tropical Storm Debbie:

Rainfall prediction, Tropical Storm Debbie –National Hurricane Center 2024-08-04

Backup: in case of high or low water is: Cancel. If the Alapaha gets too low it’s difficult to judge a backup date

More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations