This is a 20-mile high water expert scouting of the route of the upcoming Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle and beyond.

We can tow a few kayaks or canoes. But experts only, please. The many overhanging branches and no places to get out on shore make this no paddle for novices. And bring ropes for the front and back of your boat.

Expert high-water paddle with jon boats 2025-03-22, Troupville to Knights Ferry, Withlacoochee River

In case of deadfalls, we will be carrying the usual chainsaws in the WWALS jon boat with the 9.9 hp outboard. So this is a chainsaw cleanup, but you do not have to saw. You can photograph, pick up trash, pull brush aside, or just come along.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, March 22, 2025

Put In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602. I-75 exit 18, west on GA 133 (St. Augustine Road) away from the Valdosta Mall, at the traffic light for Val Tech Road, turn left down to the boat ramp, in Lowndes County.

GPS: 30.851842, -83.346536

Troupville Boat Ramp, 2025:03:20 17:23:18, 30.8513740, -83.3472175

Take Out: Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, 6499 Knights Ferry Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601.

Some concrete is visible, 2025:03:20 16:29:34, 30.7126629, -83.4554667

Also, you can get out just below Spook Bridge, after only 11 miles, thanks to The Langdale Company. But you will have to haul your boats up the bluff and carry them the quarter mile to the paved road. Do not drive over the inland bridge: it is too rickety.

Spook Bridge Landing, 2025:03:20 16:54:48, 30.7894032, -83.4514549

Boats: Bring your own kayak or canoe, with ropes on front and back.
A jon boat with outboard would be quite useful.
Thanks to Wild Green Future for the generous grant that paid for the 9.9 hp outboard, the 86lb-thrust trolling motor, the two LiFeO2 batteries, and the 24-inch Husqvarna chainsaw, all of which we will be carrying on this expedition.

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.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.

Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot paddle with us.
Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD.

Free: This outing is free because it is a cleanup.

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2979737085532359/
https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/306843957/

Duration: 6 hours

Paddle: 20 miles, 6 hours.

Shuttle: 28 miles round trip, 50 minutes round trip.
This outing includes the traditional WWALS shuttle. Everybody takes their boats to the put-in, most people drive to the take-out, and the drivers pile into one or two vehicles and go back to the put-in.

Gauge: Quitman @ US 84, Highest safe 10.5 feet, 94 NAVD. Lowest boatable 2.0 feet, 85.5 NAVD.

Host: Phil Hubbard

Contact: John S. Quarterman

Backup: in case of bad weather or high or low water is: Reschedule

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

KF

River at top of Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, 2025:03:20 16:27:03, 30.7125606, -83.4549771

PfSB

Park at the paved road for Spook Bridge, 2025:03:20 17:07:30, 30.7910135, -83.4439256

RtSB

Trash halfway to Spook Bridge, 2025:03:20 16:49:43, 30.7903038, -83.4477169

SBL

Spook Bridge Landing, 2025:03:20 16:54:48, 30.7894032, -83.4514549

SB

Spook Bridge, 2025:03:20 16:55:08, 30.7894032, -83.4514549

IB

Sky Dog surveys the inland bridge, 2025:03:20 17:00:11, 30.7902071, -83.4489507

STT

Sabal Trail Pipeline Right of Way, 2025:03:20 17:06:25, 30.7873967, -83.4458252

TBR

Troupville Boat Ramp, 2025:03:20 17:23:18, 30.8513740, -83.3472175

 -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/

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