Update 2025-03-30: Pictures: DeLoach private boat ramp to Spook Bridge, Withlacoochee River 2025-03-22.

Last Saturday, Phil Hubbard and Phil Royce and I took two jon boats down the Withlacoochee River on the route of the Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle, which will be April 19, 2025.
https://wwals.net/?p=67242

The water levels were high and fast. Even on the Little River, there were some risks for novice paddlers, and more on the Withlacoochee River.

Expert high-water paddle, Withlacoochee River 2025-03-22, Troupville Boat Ramp to Paul DeLoach private boat Ramp

These pictures go as far as the early takeout, at Phil DeLoach’s private boat ramp.

You’ve already seen some of them, along with some historical pictures and videos, in Erosion and sign missing at Valdosta WWTP Outfall 2025-03-22.
https://wwals.net/?p=67276

Stay tuned for more pictures farther downstream.

The only time we used a chainsaw was when Phil Hubbard tuned the idle on the 24-inch Husqvarna, paid for by a generous grant from Wild Green Future, along with the 9.9 hp outboard, the 86lb-thrust trolling motor, and the two LiFeO2 batteries.

Phil Hubbard tuning the WWALS 24-inch Husqvarna 460 Rancher chainsaw, 2025:03:22 09:38:19, 30.8514314, -83.3466333

The Husqvarna runs better now. But it has a fuel leak again. This time I’ll seal it with epoxy.

Previously, I also trimmed the prop guard, to keep it from snagging tree debris.

Prop guard trimmed, on 9.9 hp outboard, 2025:03:22 09:37:04, 30.8518135, -83.3470107

On the shuttle, Knights Ferry Road had recently been scraped, so no worries there.

Equipment on Knights Ferry Road, 2025:03:22 10:07:42, 30.7157963, -83.4512574

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp itself is intact, although with erosion beside it.

Erosion and KF Boat Ramp, 2025:03:22 10:11:26, 30.7124584, -83.4553195

Meanwhile, back at Troupville Boat Ramp,

Troupville Boat Ramp, 2025:03:22 09:33:03, 30.8513762, -83.3472259

Phil Royce waited with the boats.

Fast current, Little River –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:10:55

Suwannee Riverkeeper jon boat and 9.9 hp outbard –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:11:00

Here we go.

Phil Hubbard on the Little River downstream, 2025:03:22 10:43:51, 30.8502557, -83.3486093

Here’s the route we took.

Map: Troupville Boat Ramp to Paul Deloach private boat ramp, Little and Withlacoochee Rivers
in the WWALS map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

The left bank is the future site of Troupville River Camp and Nature Park, owned by Lowndes County, to be run by Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA), who already own Troupville Boat Ramp.

Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:43:54, 30.8502583, -83.3486256

The Little River Confluence was hardly recognizable. That’s the Withlacoochee River upstream in the top right of the picture, to Phil Royce’s left.

Troupville River Camp someday will be slightly up that way.

Little River Confluence, 2025:03:22 10:46:52, 30.8468886, -83.3480637

This is a little creek that comes out of the private property on the left bank.

All the way, the left bank is in Lowndes County, and the right bank is in Brooks County.

Loch-Winn Branch –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:53:33

This would be an issue for novices. Fail to turn and get flipped over.

Between the overhanging limbs –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:52:42

Lots of saw palmettos.

Saw palmettos –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:53:05

And trees broken by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane-broken tree –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:54:42

This was the easiest chainsaw cleanup we’ve every done.

Phil Hubbard does not object to an easy trip, 2025:03:22 10:57:22, 30.8366654, -83.3584843

You’ve already seen some pictures of Erosion and sign missing at Valdosta WWTP Outfall 2025-03-22.
https://wwals.net/?p=67276

Here are a few more, these from Phil Royce.

Eroded WWTP Outfall –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:58:00

Once again, this is the cleaned-up outfall from Valdosta’s Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is what we want to see.

No sign of the sign at WWTP Outfall –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:58:41

The damage by Hurricane Helene and subsequent high-water events looks bad, but should have no effect on the cleaned-up water coming out.

Broken WWTP Outfall –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:58:44

This creek comes down from Wetherington Lake, across Wetherington Lane, by the old, closed, WWTP.

Wetherington Branch, left bank –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 11:01:12

And here’s where people can take out after a bit more than 3 miles, at Paul DeLoach’s private boat ramp.

Paul DeLoach Private Boat Ramp, 2025:03:22 11:07:22, 30.8378145, -83.3700725

Needless to say, don’t use it without permission.

Leaving Paul DeLoach Private BR, 2025:03:22 11:07:24, 30.8378998, -83.3701782

There are a few more images below.

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

Boat Ramp Rules, 2025:03:22 09:32:23, 30.8512847, -83.3474434

KFBR

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, 2025:03:22 10:11:05, 30.7124924, -83.4553286

WR

Withlacoochee River downstream, 2025:03:22 10:46:49, 30.8468886, -83.3480637

Loch-Winn Branch, 2025:03:22 10:51:37, 30.8422098, -83.3502070

OHL

Movie: Why novices should not do this today: dragging limbs, 2025:03:22 10:52:13, 30.8416000, -83.3509000

MSP

More saw palmettos –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:55:08

WWTPO

Erosion at the WWTP Outfall, 2025:03:22 10:57:48, 30.8363739, -83.3591081

ABO

Another broken oak –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 10:59:05

LO

Normally those limbs would be overhead, 2025:03:22 11:00:35, 30.8379370, -83.3624721

AnUC

Another creek? –Phil Royce, 2025:03:22 11:01:38

SN

Snags, 2025:03:22 11:04:34, 30.8371749, -83.3648330

 -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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