Back at the original date, because we got enough rain. And the old original route: Troupville Boat Ramp to Spook Bridge.

Suwannee Riverkeeper invites you to paddle with Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter on the idyllic Withlacoochee River.

Thanks to Joe Brownlee for a generous grant from Georgia Power, this outing is free for everyone.

Mayor and Chairmans Paddle, Troupville to Spook Bridge, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, March 7, 2026

When: Gather 8 AM, launch 9 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, March 7, 2026

Put In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602.
From I-75 exit 18, go 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.

Under towering oaks, cypress, and longleaf pines, we will start at Troupville Boat Ramp and paddle down the Little River along the site of the future Troupville Nature Park and River Camp. Notice the WWALS signs for the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

Troupville Boat Ramp, 2023-03-04, 08:42:21, –jsq for WWALS 30.8512870, -83.3473456

Then we will join the Withlacoochee River to pass the most populous city and county in the Suwannee River Basin. Including the outflow from Valdosta’s Withlacoochee Wastewater Plant.

Clean outfall, 2022-02-19, Valdosta Withlacoochee Wastewater Plant, 11:08:04, –jsq for WWALS 30.8362546, -83.3593164

Yes, we know about Valdosta’s sewage and trash issues; see:

https://wwals.net/issues/testing

https://wwals.net/issues/trash

Thanks to Paul Deloach, there’s an early takeout at his private boat ramp.

Chairman, Mayor, City Manager on Deloach Ramp, 2023-03-04, 11:13:14, –jsq for WWALS 30.8380884, -83.3701976

Hardy paddlers will continue to follow Phil Hubbard along the river border of Lowndes and Brooks Counties to a lunch takeout on Langdale Company land.

Lunching by the river, 2022-02-19, 13:02:20, –jsq for WWALS 30.8159770, -83.4246330

Finally, we will go under the US 84 bridge and take out just past Spook Bridge, also on Langdale Company land. Thanks to them for permission for both lunch stop and take-out.

Spook Bridge with takeout beyond, 2022-02-19, 15:31:55, –jsq for WWALS 30.7909548, -83.4521316

Take Out: Early: Paul Deloach Private Boat Ramp, 11012 Troupeville Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602.
End: Spook Bridge, through the gate at the end of Old Quitman Highway.

Boats: Bring your own kayak or canoe if you can.
If you do not have one, we may be able to provide one if you ask in advance.

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: Thanks to a generous grant from Georgia Power, this outing is free to everyone.

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

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/862783146752529

https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/313150414/

Paddle: 2.7 miles or 2.5 hours to Paul Deloach Private Boat Ramp.
11.5 miles or 5.5 hours all the way to Spook Bridge.

Shuttle: 4 miles or 25 minutes round trip to Paul Deloach Private Boat Ramp.
23 miles or 45 minutes round trip to Spook Bridge.
Thanks to Paul Batts and Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for providing shuttle vans.

Host: Phil Hubbard

Contact: John S. Quarterman

Backup: in case of bad weather or high or low water is: 2026-03-28.

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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