Category Archives: Outing

2nd annual BIG Little River Paddle Event is postponed.

The ranger at Reed Bingham has elected to postpone the paddle event due to unsafe water levels on the Little River in the park and no significant drop in water levels today. I think this is the right thing to do. We want a safe, fun event. The event will be moved to Saturday, March 29 at same times. Anyone who pre-registered for the event who does not wish to come on the 29th will be given a refund. Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. Bret

Billboard, BIG Little River Paddle Event

You should see these billboards around Valdosta starting today. Thanks to Fairway for the artwork.

There’s still time to register online or by sending a check, for the Second Annual BIG Little River Paddle Event, at Reed Bingham State Park, this Saturday, 22 March 2014, to benefit Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition.

Continue reading →

How Many Trees Does It Take to Protect a Stream?

Stroud Water Center wrote in their Upstream Newsletter, VOL. 2014, ISSUE 1, February 2014,

Scientists Set Buffer Width Minimum Standard.

A strip of forest along a stream channel, also called a riparian forest buffer, has been proposed and used for decades as a best management practice to protect streams by filtering out contaminants from agriculture and other land uses before they can enter them.Their benefits are many, but one benefit has dominated social and political conversations, and that is their role in preventing contaminants from entering streams.

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Stroud Center Director Bern Sweeney practicing what he preaches at a tree planting event. Photo: David Arscott

A few years ago, Stroud Water Research Center proposed that riparian forest buffers also play another important role by Continue reading →

Still time to register for BIG Little River Paddle Event

WWALS Outings Chair Bret Wagenhorst says:

Don’t forget, there is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of one of our south GA blackwater rivers and help raise money for WWALS and Friends of Reed Bingham this coming Saturday, March 22 at The second annual BIG Little River Paddle Event. There is still time to register on line.

Big Little River Paddle Event in Tifton Gazette

Ten days from now, float downstream, or race to the finish!

10 March 2014 in the Tifton Gazette, Little River Paddle Race March 22,

ADEL — Join the Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition on March 22 for the second annual Big Little River Paddle Race.

The race starts at 11 a.m. at Red Roberts Landing and flows down the 3-mile section of Little River and ends at Lake Reed Bingham.

Registration will be Continue reading →

WWALS January 18-2014 outing review.



20140226-232013.jpg The WWALS outing was location in Statenville, Georgia DNR boat ramp on the Alapaha river. The water level @ the time of the outing was around 9 ft, but the river was within the backs. But the weather was sunny but cool day with a moderate wind. So the participants for this outing Continue reading →

Poster, BIG Little River Paddle Event, 22 March 2014

One month from now! Paddle at your own leisure, or race for prizes Saturday, March 22nd, at the Second Annual BIG Little River Paddle Event, at Reed Bingham State Park, Adel, Georgia. Proceeds to benefit Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition. You can sign up and pay online or you can do that at the event.

Bret Wagenhorst has prepared a poster suitable for hanging up at your place of fun or business: PDF. Comment on this post if you want a paper copy.

Looking forward to seeing you there! Continue reading →

WWALS February outing is cancelled.

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WWALS February outing scheduled for tomorrow the 22nd has been cancelled. It was planned to be on the Alapaha River. The launching point would have been from the HWY 84 bridge near Naylor to the landing point at Mayday bridge on Howell Rd. near Howell. It is an 11.1 mile section of the Alapaha with rapids and a small waterfall. We hope to enjoy this trip sometime in the future. At this time, the water levels on the Alapaha River are rising. The level at the HWY 84 bridge is currently over 11′ with a fast moving current. Unfortunately, high water and fast currents are not safe for recreational canoeing and kayaking. It would be great to see all WWALS members at our scheduled outing for next month! The Second Annual Big Little River Paddle Event scheduled for March 22nd at 9:30AM. -CLG

Second annual BIG Little River Paddle Event

Update 15 Feb 2014: You can also apply to Sponsor (Gold, Silver, or Bronze) on the event page.

A fundraiser for nonprofits Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition, this is a scenic three mile flatwater paddle on the Little River from Red Roberts landing (at Rountree Bridge, 31 11 32.05 N 83 31 13.25 W) in the north end of the park, to the boat ramp on the Colquitt Co. side of the park lake (park map).

You can do it as a race, or as a scenic leisure paddle. Cost is $25 per boat if you register before March 15, and $30 per boat after that (registration includes park day pass/admission). You must either provide your own boat or rent one at the park (separate fee). Participants get a free shuttle and lunch. Fastest boats in various categories win a prize. Registration is at Red Roberts landing between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. (to allow time for a shuttle). Mass start at 11 a.m.

You can sign up and pay online. Continue reading →

Alapaha River at Statenville: January WWALS Outing

Meet at the boat ramp/parking lot on the left just before you get to Statenville heading east on Hwy 94 at 1:30. Boat launch is at 2. We will paddle upstream for 30 to 45 min. and then float back down. The river will likely be up, so it should be a work out.

The river water temperature is currently 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so dress warmly. The Alapaha River at Statenville is currently at 9 feet and rising, which is well above the level recommended by Brown’s Guide for this river.

Jungle-like in its remoteness and luxurious with exotic vegetation, the dark reddish-brown waters of the Alapaha wind through a swampy wonderland teeming with wildlife. Signs of habitation are rare along the river’s course; only a few isolated cabins intrude on the remote tranquility.

Here’s a map: Continue reading →