Suwannee Riverkeeper invites you to paddle on the idyllic Withlacoochee River with the Mayor of Valdosta and the Lowndes County Commission Chairman.

Mayor Scott James Matheson and Chairman Bill Slaughter always seem to enjoy this outing, and you will, too.

Under towering oaks, cypress, and longleaf pines, we will pass the most populous city and county in the Suwannee River Basin and the site of the future Troupville Nature Park and River Camp, on the WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

Thanks to Phil Hubbard for once again leading this paddle.

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

The city and county will probably also post their own announcements.

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

Put In: Langdale Park Boat Ramp or Troupville Boat Ramp
Which put in will depend on water levels and any remaining obstructions in the river.
WWALS will announce that decision in advance.

Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, March 7, 2026

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

https://wwals.net/issues/testing

https://wwals.net/issues/trash

Take Out: Troupville Boat Ramp, Paul Deloach Private Boat Ramp, or Spook Bridge
See above about water levels and obstructions.
Thanks to Paul Deloach for agreeing to the use of his ramp.
Thanks to The Langdale Company for permission to take out just below Spook Bridge, and for a lunch stop along the way.

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: facebook
https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/313150414/?eventOrigin=home_next_event_you_are_hosting

Photo-op, 2025-04-19 –Gretchen Quarterman for WWALS

Paddle: It depends on the route.

Shuttle: It depends on the route.

Host: Phil Hubbard

Contact: John S. Quarterman

Dan and Debbie turning left, 10:03:53, –jsq for WWALS 30.8811090, -83.3265476

Backup: in case of bad weather or high or low water is: 2026-03-28 or even 2026-04-18.

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.

Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter, Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson, and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman 2025-04-19 –Gretchen Quarterman for WWALS

 -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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