Category Archives: Weather

Videos: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek 2026-02-28

We continued chainsawing downstream on the Withlacoochee River, starting at the train trestle.

Phil Hubbard and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman cut passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls. We got through a bunch of deadfalls, past the other train trestle beside the river, before paddling back up.

Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson came to see us off, wearing a tie, on his way to a day of funerals.

[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream, 2026-02-21]
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream, 2026-02-21

Here is some video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1458995909184651/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZGwxMiPky/

https://youtu.be/j1xd3FdCw-M

We are preparing for the Mayor andd Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Saturday, March 7, 2026.

We used several of our own chainsaws, and the Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch chainsaw bought with a generous grant to WWALS from Wild Green Future.

We will continue chainsaw cleanups later.

There are many pictures below.

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. Continue reading →

Clean New, Withlacoochee, and Santa Fe Rivers and Sugar Creek 2026-02-26

Update 2026-03-07: Clean Santa Fe, New, and Withlacoochee Rivers and Sugar Creek 2026-03-05.

Not only did the Santa Fe and Withlacoochee Rivers test clean, the New River at 18th Street did too, for once. And Sugar Creek tested clean even at the WaterGoat, just above the Withlacoochee River.

This was all before the rain today (Friday), but chances are most lingering on-land contamination was washed down by the previous rain.

No new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida. There was one in Georgia, a Valdosta dry land sewage spill Wednesday at 718 Georgia Avenue, that from what little we know did not get into any waterways.

https://wwals.net/?p=69533

So happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this sunny warm weekend.

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

[Clean New, Withlacoochee, and Santa Fe Rivers, and Sugar Creek, 2026-02-26]
Clean New, Withlacoochee, and Santa Fe Rivers, and Sugar Creek, 2026-02-26

We’re going ahead with the Withlacoochee River chainsaw cleanup tomorrow, meeting at the Salty Snapper parking lot at 9 AM:

https://wwals.net/?p=69438

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, Sugar Creek to Troupville 2026-02-28

Update 2026-03-02: Videos: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream 2026-02-28.

Update 2026-02-20: Rescheduled to Saturday, February 28, 2026, due to continued bad water quality.

Last time was fun and productive, so we’re continuing chainsawing downstream on the Withlacoochee River.

Meet at the Salty Snapper parking lot. Unless it’s raining; then we’ll try for Sunday.

We will cut passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls. You do not have to use a saw: you can pull sawed limbs aside, collect trash, photograph, or just paddle along.

The river is very low. This is convenient for sawing through dead trees while standing on the river bottom. But beware there will be much dragging of boats.

We are preparing for the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, February 28, 2026
We may continue the following day, Sunday.

Put In: Gather in Salty Snapper parking lot, 1405 Gornto Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602-2232

GPS: 30.861251, -83.3189

[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek, Downstream 2026-02-21]
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek, Downstream 2026-02-21

Continue reading →

Filthy Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-02-17

Update 2026-02-21: Clean Santa Fe, Alapaha Rivers, cleaner Withlacoochee, New Rivers 2026-02-19.

WWALS got filthy river results on the Withlacoochee River at US 41 and Langdale Park Boat Ramp for Monday, but Valdosta Utilities got even worse at GA 133 and US 84 for Tuesday.

In between, WWALS got pretty bad on Hightower Creek, but the worst on Sugar Creek, both for Tuesday.

Yet downstream in Florida, WWALS got clean on the Withlacoochee River for Tuesday.

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

So this filthiness is probably first flush after the Sunday rains. That’s a utilities term: after a long drought, a big rain washes the woods, which animals have been using as a latrine.

If so, the waterways will clean up in a few days as the water runs. But I’d avoid all these for a few days.

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

[Filthy Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-02-17, After big rains, But clean far downstream]
Filthy Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-02-17, After big rains, But clean far downstream

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 →

Nasty water, Alapaha River, GA 135 2026-02-16

Update 2026-02-25: Solid Waste Open Dump Consent Order on Dwight Caton in Berrien County, GA 2025-12-22.

Update 2026-02-21: Clean Santa Fe, Alapaha Rivers, cleaner Withlacoochee, New Rivers 2026-02-19.

Mike Paulk sent this video of what he saw yesterday at GA 135 on the Alapaha River, south of Willacoochee, Georgia.

[Nasty water, Alapaha River @ GA 135, After big rain, Rose 1 foot in 3.5 hours]
Nasty water, Alapaha River @ GA 135, After big rain, Rose 1 foot in 3.5 hours

He said the river rose a foot in 3 and a half hours, and he’s never seen it look like that.

Here’s the video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1433056248290635

https://youtube.com/shorts/ppVqQc3FRkY

Anybody who has any information, please send it to us.

 -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/

Pictures: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to RR Bridge 2026-02-14

Update 2026-03-02: Two weeks later, Videos: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream 2026-02-28.

We went only 0.28 Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River miles, but we sawed plenty of passage through deadfalls, moved much debris, and picked up a bunch of trash.

Here are some video clips:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2360050534421356/

https://youtu.be/XsmSiemHLug

We were chainsawing passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls, especially from Hurricane Helene.

Phil Hubbard, leader of this expedition, remarked: “I felt we had a very productive day. With the low water we were able to clear obstructions that had existed but inaccessible for a very long time.”

[Chainsaw Cleanup, Sugar Creek to Withlacoochee River, Short distance but much accomplished]
Chainsaw Cleanup, Sugar Creek to Withlacoochee River, Short distance but much accomplished

We are preparing for the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, if the river level rises enough to avoid rescheduling.

We took a WWALS canoe with the 24-inch Husqvarna Rancher chainsaw and the 86 lb thrust trolling motor paid for by a grant from Wild Green Future, plus other saws, electric and gas. Phil Hubbard and I used the canoe. David Savage and Tish Hall each brought their own kayak. We spent more time walking than paddling.

Phil Hubbard recently Continue reading →

Clean Withlacoochee, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers; Dirty New River upstream 2026-02-12

Update 2026-02-18: Filthy Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-02-17.

WWALS got good river results on the Withlacoochee, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers this week, as did Valdosta Utilities on the Withlacoochee.

But new WWALS tester Isis Swartz got too-high E. coli results on the New River at 18th Street in Tifton, Georgia.

We have no new creek test results.

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

The weather prediction for Saturday is mostly sunny with rain on Sunday. So if you can find a river with enough water, happy paddling, boating, swimming, and fishing this weekend.

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

[Clean Withlacoochee, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers; Dirty New River upstream, 2026-02-09-12]
Clean Withlacoochee, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers; Dirty New River upstream, 2026-02-09-12

Or come with WWALS tomorrow (Saturday), on the Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville 2026-02-14.

https://wwals.net/?p=69369

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, Sugar Creek to Troupville 2026-02-14

Update 2026-02-16: Pictures: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville 2026-02-14.

Join us as we chainsaw passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls.

You do not have to use a saw: you can pull sawed limbs aside, collect trash, photograph, or just paddle along.

The river is very low. This is convenient for sawing through dead trees while standing on the river bottom. But beware there will be much dragging of boats.

We are preparing for the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, if the river level rises enough to avoid rescheduling.

When: Gather 11 AM, launch 12 PM, end 5 PM, Saturday, February 14, 2026

Put In: Gather at the bottom of the Salty Snapper parking lot, 1405 Gornto Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602-2232.
We’ll put in on Sugar Creek if there’s enough water,
otherwise on the Withlacoochee River under the railroad trestle.

GPS: 30.861251, -83.318900

[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville, 9 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2026]
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville, 9 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2026

Continue reading →

Clean Alapaha, Withlacoochee, and Santa Fe Rivers 2026-02-04

Update 2026-02-13: Clean Withlacoochee, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers; Dirty New River upstream 2026-02-12.

WWALS got good river results on the Alapaha and Santa Fe Rivers for Wednesday.

Valdosta Utilities also got good E. coli results for the Withlacoochee for Monday.

We have no new creek test results.

No new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia.

But there were two in Florida. The Florida Pollution Notices map is broken again, but WWALS is signed up for alerts so we got them by email. High Springs spilled Monday near the Santa Fe River, and Live Oak spilled Tuesday near the Suwannee River. Both were small spills and not very near any major waterway.

The weather prediction for Saturday and Sunday is warmer and sunny. So if you can find a river with enough water, happy paddling, boating, swimming, and fishing this weekend.

Or come with WWALS tomorrow (Saturday), to find the site of the old Drew Mansion, on Ellaville Hike, Withlacoochee River 2026-02-07.

https://wwals.net/?p=69082

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

[Clean Alapaha and Santa Fe, Rivers 2026-02-04, Clean Withlacoochee River 2026-02-02]
Clean Alapaha and Santa Fe, Rivers 2026-02-04, Clean Withlacoochee River 2026-02-02

Alapaha River

WWALS tester Heather Brasell got a pretty good 333 cfu/100 mL for the Town of Alapaha wastewater plant outflow creek, and 166 for the Alapaha River just upstream from Sheboggy Boat Ramp on US 82, both for Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Santa Fe River

WWALS testers Bob Mills and Kurt Hurzeler for Wednesday at Mills Dock, a bit upstream from Poe Springs Ramp, bot a quite clean 66 cfu/100 mL, with 12.8 C air temperature and 16.3 C water temperature.

Withlacoochee River

Valdosta Utilities for Monday (we don’t know why not for Wednesday) got pretty good 320 at GA 133 and pretty clean 100 at US 84, both below the 410 one-time test limit.

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 →

High Springs sewage spill, Railroad Ave. near SE Douglas Street 2026-02-02

Update 2026-02-06: Clean Alapaha, Withlacoochee, and Santa Fe Rivers 2026-02-04.

Received yesterday from FDEP:

[High Springs sewage spill, Railroad Ave. near SE Douglas Street, 4,500 gallons, 4,000 recovered, Not near any waterway 2026-02-02]
High Springs sewage spill, Railroad Ave. near SE Douglas Street, 4,500 gallons, 4,000 recovered, Not near any waterway 2026-02-02

Pollution Notice

Thank you for submitting a Public Notice of Pollution for a reportable Incident in compliance with Section 403.077, F.S.

All information displayed was submitted by the reporting party.

Type of Notice: Initial Report Date of Notice: 02/02/2026

Incident Information
Name of Incident: 2026-1112
State Watch Office Case Number: 2026-1112
Start of Incident: 02/02/2026 06:30
End of Incident: 02/02/2026 11:00
Incident Description: Break in 6″ Ductile Iron Pipe, believe caused by the freeze that occurred overnight. Leak has been repaired, dig site is backfilled, has lime and signs posted.
Wastewater Type: Untreated
Cause: Extreme Weather
Spill Volume: 4500
Volume Recovered: 4000
Waterbodies Impacted: NA
Clean-up Status: Complete
Clean-up Actions: Vacuumed/pump truck, Applied lime, Signs posted
Agencies Notified: Alachua County Environmental Protection

Incident Location
Facility/Installation Name: High Springs WWTF
Address Line 1: 23007 NW Railroad Ave
Address Line 2:
Directions: SE Douglas St
City: High Springs
State: FL
Zip Code: 32643
Coordinates (in decimal degrees):
Lat: 29.821958862943603, Long: -82.58891036880728
Impacted Counties: Alachua

Incident Reported By Continue reading →