Last time was fun and productive, so we’re continuing chainsawing downstream on the Withlacoochee River.

Meet this Saturday at the Salty Snapper parking lot. Unless it’s raining; then we’ll try for Sunday.

We will cut passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls. You do not have to use a saw: you can pull sawed limbs aside, collect trash, photograph, or just paddle along.

The river is very low. This is convenient for sawing through dead trees while standing on the river bottom. But beware there will be much dragging of boats.

We are preparing for the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, if the river level rises enough to avoid rescheduling.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, February 21, 2026

Put In: Gather in Salty Snapper parking lot, 1405 Gornto Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602-2232

GPS: 30.861251, -83.3189

Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek, Downstream 2026-02-21

Take Out: Troupville Boat Ramp

Boats: We will be using a WWALS canoe and the 24-inch Husqvarna Rancher chainsaw paid for by a grant from Wild Green Future, plus other saws, electric and gas.
Kayaks and canoes are welcome to paddle along.
If we get below the GA 133 bridge, you can also walk along the Withlacoochee River right bank in the park.

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.
If you have a chainsaw and know how to use it, bring it along.
Or a sawzall or handsaw, which is especially good for small underwater limbs.
But you do not have to saw: you can pick up trash, or photograph, or just paddle along.
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 to everyone, because it is a cleanup!

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

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/809434335207980/
meetup

Duration: 5 hours

Paddle: 4.26 miles, 4 hours.

Shuttle: 9 miles round trip, 30 minutes.
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: Valdosta at US 41 (North Valdosta Road), USGS 02317755.
Highest safe 12.7 feet, 123′ NAVD. Lowest boatable 5.7 feet, 116′ 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

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