Category Archives: Weather

Local Industrial Development Authority @ Irwin County BOCC 2026-06-01

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The Local Industrial Development Authority took two Irwin County Commission meetings to approve.

The ordinance says the Authority is limited to the unincorporated parts of Irwin County and that it is to have nine Directors.

For the June 3 meeting where they finally approved that ordinance, we got nothing but a Public Notice: no agenda, no board packet.

But in response to an open records request, we got an extensive board packet for the June 1, 2026, meeting. It also includes a household trash burn ordinance, a solar ordinance, an ordinance limiting appraisals for low-income properties, an employee performance evaluation form, and a job posting for a County Administrator. That last item is not on the agenda, but it is in the packet.

[Local Industrial Development Authority @ Irwin Co. BOCC 2026-06-01, 2026-06-03, Burn Ordinance, Solar Ordinance, County Administrator job posting]
Local Industrial Development Authority @ Irwin Co. BOCC 2026-06-01, 2026-06-03, Burn Ordinance, Solar Ordinance, County Administrator job posting

These items are on the WWALS website. Images of each page are below, except I have omitted the 22 blank pages. Continue reading →

Clean Withlacoochee and Santa Fe Rivers 2026-06-03

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Good news! The Withlacoochee River tested much better this week at GA 133 in Valdosta Utilities results. And it again tested good at US 84, both for Monday.

WWALS got even better results for Wednesday downstream in Florida, four miles upstream from the Suwannee River.

WWALS also got excellent results for the Santa Fe River, also for Wednesday.

No new sewage spills were reported in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

Happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating. The rivers are up, so you should find all that easier to do.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Clean Withlacoochee & Santa Fe Rivers 2026-06-03, No new sewage spills: Happy, paddling, swimming, & fishing]
Clean Withlacoochee & Santa Fe Rivers 2026-06-03, No new sewage spills: Happy, paddling, swimming, & fishing

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Clean Batterbee Branch, Santa Fe River, Withlacoochee downstream, Filthy Withlacoochee upstream 2026-05-27

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Update 2026-06-06: Clean Withlacoochee and Santa Fe Rivers 2026-06-03.

The Withlacoochee River tested even worse this week at GA 133 in Valdosta Utilities results. Yet it again tested good at US 84, both for Wednesday.

WWALS got even better results for Wednesday downstream in Florida, four miles upstream from the Suwannee River.

WWALS also got excellent results for the Santa Fe River, also for Wednesday.

Meanwhile upstream from the Withlacoochee River and Cat Creek in Berrien County, Georgia, Tish Hall got pretty good results for Tuesday for Batterbee Branch at Shiloh Road, Ray City.

No new sewage spills were reported in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River upstream of the Little River Confluence.

So at your own risk, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating, where-ever you can find enough water, and if you can avoid the rains predicted this weekend.

Or join us tomorrow, for Alapahoochee River Cleanup 2026-05-30.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Clean Batterbee Branch 2026-05-26, Clean Santa Fe River 2026-05-27, Withlacoochee clean downstream, Filthy upstream 2026-05-27]
Clean Batterbee Branch 2026-05-26, Clean Santa Fe River 2026-05-27, Withlacoochee clean downstream, Filthy upstream 2026-05-27

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Withlacoochee filthy upstream; Santa Fe River clean 2026-05-14

Update 2026-05-22: Withlacoochee River dirty upstream 2026-05-18 clean downstream and Santa Fe River clean 2026-05-20.

More results have come in since Friday’s report.

WWALS got even worse results upstream on the Withlacoochee River for Thursday at Franklinville Road, which is upstream from Cat Creek and Valdosta.

That looks even more like first flush, when a big rain washes the woods wildlife have been using as a latrine.

Meanwhile, WWALS got clean results for Thursday on the Santa Fe River.

I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River upstream of the Little River Confluence.

And considering Colquitt and Brooks Counties, Georgia, got a lot of rain that could wash contamination into Okapilco Creek, I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River in Georgia.

So at your own risk, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating, where-ever you can find enough water, and if you can avoid the rains predicted for Sunday.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Withlacoochee filthy upstream, Above Valdosta & Cat Creek, Santa Fe River clean, 2026-05-14]
Withlacoochee filthy upstream, Above Valdosta & Cat Creek, Santa Fe River clean, 2026-05-14

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream 2026-05-14

Update 2026-05-17: Withlacoochee filthy upstream; Santa Fe River clean 2026-05-14.

WWALS got bad results upstream on the Withlacoochee River for Wednesday and Thursday at Langdale Park and Staten Road, even though Valdosta Utilities got OK results for Monday downstream at GA 133 and US 84.

WWALS got clean results for Thursday in Florida on the Withlacoochee near the Suwannee.

That pattern looks like first flush, when a big rain washes the woods wildlife have been using as a latrine.

No new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida, but Tifton had one in Georgia; see below.

I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River upstream of the Little River Confluence.

And considering Colquitt and Brooks Counties, Georgia, got a lot of rain that could wash contamination into Okapilco Creek, I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River in Georgia.

So at your own risk, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating, where-ever you can find enough water, and if you can avoid the rains predicted for Sunday.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream, 2026-05-14, After recent rains, Paddle at your own risk]
Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream, 2026-05-14, After recent rains, Paddle at your own risk

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2026-06-07

Update 2026-06-06: OK, we’re putting in at Troupville Boat Ramp and motoring upstream. You are welcome to join us. Will be easiest if you have a motor.

Join us to continue clearing passage on the Withlacoochee River for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats, leaving plenty of wildlife habitat.

You can come photograph, pull limbs out of the way, pick up trash, or just paddle along. Or chainsaw, if you have one and you really know how to use it.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 4 PM, Sunday, June 7, 2026

Put In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602. I-75 exit 18, 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, in Lowndes County.

GPS: 30.851842, -83.346536

[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2026-06-07, Langdale Park, Sugar Creek, or Troupville, per water level]
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2026-06-07, Langdale Park, Sugar Creek, or Troupville, per water level

Continue reading →

Clean Alapaha River 2026-05-08

Update 2026-05-15: Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream 2026-05-14.

WWALS tester Heather Brasell got good results for Friday on the Alapaha River at Sheboggy Boat Ramp at US 82, and at the outflow creek from the Town of Alapaha wastewater treatment plant.

That’s more good news to add to yesterday’s Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek good results.

More rain came, and more is predicted, but so far it doesn’t seem to be washing any contamination into the waterways. If there is rain, maybe it will at least dampen some wildfires. Remember not to light anything outdoors.

Still no new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

As always, we can only advise with the results we have. Happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating, if you can find any water.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Clean Alapaha River, Town of Alapaha Outflow, Sheboggy Boat Ramp, Friday, May 8, 2026]
Clean Alapaha River, Town of Alapaha Outflow, Sheboggy Boat Ramp, Friday, May 8, 2026

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06

Update 2026-05-10: Clean Alapaha River 2026-05-08.

Even after the rains last Saturday, Valdosta Utilities got a pretty good E. coli number for Monday at GA 133 (St. Augustine Road) on the Withlacoochee River, and a good result at US 84 that same day.

WWALS got an even better result downstream in Florida.

WWALS results for Sugar Creek for Sunday were also OK.

There was more rain yesterday, but less than last Saturday. Still no new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

As always, we can only advise with the results we have. Happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend, if you can find any water.

More rain is predicted Saturday through Monday.

If there is rain, maybe it will at least dampen some wildfires. Remember not to light anything outdoors.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06, after rains, more rain coming]
Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06, after rains, more rain coming

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Smoke at Lakeland Boat Ramp 2026-05-06

Yesterday morning the smoke was thick at Lakeland Boat Ramp on the Alapaha River, and smokey haze continued all the way past Waycross to Okefenokee Swamp Park.

Rain a few days ago helped, but it was only a few inches, and fires can smolder for many days.

More rain is predicted for four days starting today: maybe that will finally put that fire out, and the many others.

Meanwhile, don’t burn outdoors, eh?

[Smoke at Lakeland Boat Ramp, Pineland Road Fire 2026-05-06, Suwannoochee Creek, Suwannee River Basin]
Smoke at Lakeland Boat Ramp, Pineland Road Fire 2026-05-06, Suwannoochee Creek, Suwannee River Basin

The smoke was probably mostly from the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch and Echols Counties. The creek in its middle is Suwannoochee Creek, which is the county line and runs into the Suwannee River downstream from Fargo.

Here’s the big picture. Continue reading →

Pretty clean Sugar Creek 2026-04-23 and Batterbee Branch and Withlacoochee River 2026-04-27

Update 2026-05-09: Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06.

Valdosta Utilities got a pretty good E. coli number for Monday at GA 133 (St. Augustine Road) on the Withlacoochee River, and a good result at US 84 that same day. That’s much improved from previous weeks.

WWALS results for Sugar Creek last Thursday were also OK.

And a WWALS result for Batterbee Branch, in Ray City, Georgia, upstream from Cat Creek, was OK.

Still no significant rain, and still no new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

As always, we can only advise with the results we have. Happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend, if you can find any water.

Rain is predicted for this weekend, but it was predicted for yesterday, too, and didn’t happen.

If there is rain, maybe it will at least dampen some wildfires. Remember not to light anything outdoors.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Pretty clean Sugar Creek 2026-04-23, and Batterbee Branch and Withlacoochee River 2026-04-27, No rain, no sewage spills]
Pretty clean Sugar Creek 2026-04-23, and Batterbee Branch and Withlacoochee River 2026-04-27, No rain, no sewage spills

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →