Someone said there’s an actual scientist in the room, so let’s hear from him. So WWALS Science Committee member Geology Professor Can Denizman said a few words about modeling karst limestone aquifers such as the Floridan Aquifer. This was at the March 3, 2017 meeting of the new Environmental Advisory Work Group of the Suwannee River Partnership.
Here’s video followed by a transcript: Continue reading
A medium length summer paddle on the Middle Suwannee River: Fort Macomb Ramp to Ivey Memorial Park June 10, 2017, past springs, shoals, and Branford. This one will probably take about 5 hours paddling, or 6 hours including shuttle. With lunch, swim stops, and bon-bons, of course.
Bring the usual personal flotation device, boat paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit.
When: 9AM Saturday 10 June 2017
Put In: Ft. Macomb Ramp, river mile 86.6
From Mayo, travel east on US 27 to CR 410; turn left on CR 410; follow to boat
ramp.
Take Out:
Ivey Memorial Park Ramp, river mile 76.0
Boat ramp is located in Branford on the south side of US 27 at the
Bridge in Ivey Memorial Park.
29.9538379,-82.9303607
This map detail and all landing directions are from Continue reading
Here is a very interesting paper about increasing nitrogen from crops into the Suwannee River Basin and its springs (promoting algae growth), with actual data on how well best management practices (BMPs) are containing the runoff: Environmental Nitrogen Losses from Commercial Crop Production Systems in the Suwannee River Basin of Florida, by Rishi Prasad, George J. Hochmuth, PLOSOne, Published: December 1, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0167558
Fig 3.
Comparison of A) environmental nitrogen losses (Nenvloss) from three
crops (potato, sweet corn and silage corn) during four growing
seasons (2010 to2013) and B) relationship between seasonal total N
rates and environmental nitrogen losses at the study farm in the
Middle Suwannee River Basin, Florida. Silage corn was not studied
during 2013. Mean values of Nenvloss (represented by individual bars
and their standard errors for the three crops) followed by different
letters indicate significant difference at α = 0.05 level
Abstract Continue reading
These figures tell the story of springsheds in a coastal lowland karst plain such as much of the Suwannee River Basin. Maybe you already know all this, but if you don’t, these pictures may help make sense of Springsheds and Water Withdrawal Permits in the Suwannee River Basin.
A spring is fed from a ground-water basin.
This figure for Florida water withdrawal permits in the Suwannee River springsheds shows by far the largest blue dots for the biggest withdrawal permits in Hamilton County at the location of the PCS Phosphate mine.
Thanks to Continue reading
Is this what you want Bradford, Union, and other counties in Florida to look like?
I wonder what effect this phosphate mine had on the much lowered water level of White Springs, or the Suwannee River?
The PCS Phosphate mine in Hamilton County near White Springs and Jasper spread under our Southwings plane while surveying the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline 22 October 2016. On board were Southwings pilot Roy Zimmer, photographer Dominick Gheesling, Jim Tatum of Our Santa Fe River, and John S. Quarterman of WWALS. Here are pictures by Jim Tatum, a few videos by John S. Quarterman, and a Google map showing the locations. Continue reading
Following up on Cody Suggs’ pictures of pipeline dug up at Pilgrim’s Pride, I found a flock of glow-shirts inspecting a fancy new pipeline sign. Remember, where Sabal Trail goes through Pilgrim’s Pride property is right next to at least two large sinkholes and on top of the world-famous miles-long Falmouth Cathedral Cave System that feeds the Floridan Aquifer from which we all drink. They were also across US 90 and the railroad, and then at the Suwannee River HDD site in Suwannee County, Florida. Here are many pictures, a video playlist, and a Google Map.
Update 2017-04-18: Yes, WWALS will be at Wanee Wednesday afternoon April 19th for Remembering Butch Trucks, and all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well. Look for the WWALS or Suwannee Riverkeeper banners.
The music festival that started them all, and still one of the biggest: Wanee outside in the spring near the Suwannee River. Come talk to Suwannee Riverkeeper about how you can paddle with us and help advocate for the rivers and the aquifer.
That picture is from a previous festival. We’ll be in a different location at the park, meeting more than 10,000 of our closest friends.
When:
April 20-April 22, 2017
Where:
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park
3076 95th Dr, Live Oak, Florida 32060
Event: facebook
What: Wanee, featuring Bob Weir, Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Gov’t Mule, Dark Star Orchestra, Dr. John & the Nite Trippers, Trey Anastasio Band, and more.
If you want to help at the WWALS table, send email to wwalswatershed@gmail.com or call 229-242-0102.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (PDF)
Valdosta, Georgia; March 28, 2017 — It’s a full agenda tonight about Water, Agriculture, and Forestry with in a public meeting at Valdosta State University, hosted by WWALS Watershed Coalition.
When:
6-8PM Tuesday March 28, 2017
Where:
UC Theater, UC Center, Valdosta State University
1215 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31698
Event: facebook
Host:
WWALS Watershed Coalition
the Waterkeeper® Alliance Member as Suwannee Riverkeeper®
Agenda:
Getting out on the rivers (5 minutes each):
Science and practice (15 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A each): Continue reading
Environment Florida filed a lawsuit 9 March 2017 against Pilgrim’s Pride
about “effluents” into the Suwannee River, alleging a violation of a
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(“NPDES”) permit, which is also a violation of the
Clean Water Act (CWA).
Here is PDF of that legal complaint, sent to us by the plaintiff’s
attorney.
Suwannee Riverkeeper is always glad to see legal action going on that we don’t have to do. Here are a few notes.
Pilgrim’s Pride goes to some trouble to treat and disinfect their wastewater at its plant on US 90 west of Live Oak in Suwannee County, and then:
- The wastewater discharged into the Suwannee River is also called the Plant’s “effluent.”
- Outfall D-001 is an 18-inch diameter steel pipe that extends approximately 20 feet from the shore and discharges into the Suwannee River.
- During the Suwannee River’s low flow periods, the pipe is not always completely submerged.
- During the Suwannee River’s low flow periods, the Plant’s effluent discharging from the pipe can be seen.
And the complaint alleges the effluent is not entirely clean.
What about the waste that is not liquid? Continue reading