Retrieving PFAS samplers, Mud Swamp Creek 2024-10-29, Withlacoochee River 2024-11-23

Update 2024-11-30: Bad Sugar Creek, clean Withlacoochee River 2024-11-26.

Hurricane Helene destroyed three out of four PFAS samplers, and kept us from retrieving the fourth until long after time.

[Hurricane Helene demolished PFAS samplers, Withlacoochee River 2024-11-23, Mud Swamp Creek 2024-10-29]
Hurricane Helene demolished PFAS samplers, Withlacoochee River 2024-11-23, Mud Swamp Creek 2024-10-29

Back on September 14 and 15 we deployed four PFAS samplers, upstream and downstream from two wastewater treatment plants, on the Withlacoochee River and on Mud Swamp Creek.

These are a new design that you leave in the flowing water for 28 days thereabouts, then retrieve, and effectively they were taking a sample a day.

But then came Hurricane Helene.

Thanks to Gee Edwards and Phil Royce for helping on the Withlacoochee River Saturday, after the chainsaw cleanup. Especially thanks to Phil for the tow back when the 9.9 hp outboard quit. We’ll investigate what is its problem this time.

We put the upstream sampler slightly up from Valdosta’s Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Outfall.

That was the only one we actually could retrieve. Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17

It was a gorgeous evening for a glassy Banks Lake paddle, with bats, sunset, and full moon, September 17, 2024.

[Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17, Shirley Kokidko, expedition leader]
Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17, Shirley Kokidko, expedition leader

Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading this expedition. Continue reading →

Pictures: Withlacoochee River Chainsaw Cleanup after Hurricane Helene, Troupville Boat Ramp 2024-11-23

Update 2024-11-27: Retrieving PFAS samplers, Withlacoochee River 2024-11-23.

We got some big deadfalls and marked one to go back, on the Withlacoochee River after Hurricane Helene Chainsaw Cleanup from Troupville Boat Ramp 2024-11-23.

[Got some big ones. Plenty more to do. Withlacoochee River Chainsaw Cleanup from Troupville 2024-11-23]
Got some big ones. Plenty more to do. Withlacoochee River Chainsaw Cleanup from Troupville 2024-11-23

We didn’t go very far, but that third of a mile is much better now. We got the big log at CiHiG (Cut it Here, I Guess) Deadfall. but there’s another below it that was just sticking out, level with the water, at 120.6 feet NAVD88 Saturday on the US 41 (Valdosta) Withlacoochee River Gauge. We’ll have to go back at lower water to get the lower log. Continue reading →

Griffis Camp to Fargo, Suwannee River Paddle 2025-01-11

Update 2025-01-06: Rescheduled: Griffis Camp to Fargo, Suwannee River Paddle 2025-03-01

Come out and join us for a winter paddle on the Suwannee River in this remote 14-mile section of wilderness from Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo.

Very important to dress for a cold day and bring a change of clothes. Everyone must wear a PFD at all times on the water. Have a bow line/rope for your kayak.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, January 11, 2025

Put In: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left, in Clinch County.

GPS: 30.7845, -82.446333

[Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo 2025-01-11, Suwannee River, Dress warmly]
Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo 2025-01-11, Suwannee River, Dress warmly

Continue reading →

Rescheduled: Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers 2025-02-01

Update 2025-01-25: Due to park closure, Rescheduled: Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers 2025-02-22.

Rescheduled to February 1, 2025, due to schedule conflict.

Join us on a leisurely paddle on the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers, starting at Ichetucknee Springs State Park North Entrance, past many springs, taking out at the US 129 Boat Ramp.

When: Gather 8:30 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, February 1, 2024

Put In: Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North Entrance, 8294 SW Elim Church Rd, Fort White, FL 32038.

GPS: 29.986107, -82.760109

[Ichetucknee River to Santa Fe River 2025-02-01, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp]
Ichetucknee River to Santa Fe River 2025-02-01, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp

Continue reading →

Cleaner Withlacoochee River 2024-11-21

Update 2024-11-30: Bad Sugar Creek, clean Withlacoochee River 2024-11-26.

Madison Health on Wednesday lifted its health advisory about the Withlacoochee River, after they got two successive good water quality results, for Friday and Monday, at CR 145, aka Mozell Spells, State Line Boat Ramp, on GA 31, Madison Highway.

Valdosta’s Tuesday results at US 84 agree, but Valdosta’s GA 133 results were too high, and Valdosta’s Hightower and Sugar Creek results were way too high.

WWALS upstream testing Thursday was good.

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

The Withlacoochee River is well below Action stage. So happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating.

Remember, many parks and put-ins remain closed after Hurricane Helene. So check before you go.

Or join us tomorrow for the Withlacoochee River Chainsaw Cleanup after Hurricane Helene, Troupville Boat Ramp 2024-11-23.

[Cleaner Withlacoochee River 2024-11-21 Questionable Hightower and Sugar Creeks]
Cleaner Withlacoochee River 2024-11-21 Questionable Hightower and Sugar Creeks

WWALS tester Cindy Vedas got Continue reading →

Video: Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness: the 4 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee –Larry Woodward, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21

From alligators and wood storks in the Okefenokee National Wildlife (NWR) to mussels, Gulf sturgeon, and alligator snapping turtles in the Lower Suwannee NWR, plus Banks Lake NWR and Cedar Key NWR, Larry Woodward, Deputy Refuge Manager, ONWR, gave a WWALS Webinar on Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness, and the importance of the 4 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee.

[Water, Wildlife, & Wilderness: 4 NWRs of the Suwannee --Larry Woodward, Okefenokee, Banks Lake, Lower Suwannee, Cedar Key, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21]
Water, Wildlife, & Wilderness: 4 NWRs of the Suwannee –Larry Woodward, Okefenokee, Banks Lake, Lower Suwannee, Cedar Key, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21

After a brief introduction by Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman, Larry Woodward spoke for about 45 minutes, followed by questions and answers, all by zoom, from noon to 1PM, Thursday, November 11, 2024.

Here is the video:
https://youtu.be/ya5b8V6woOE

Fictional inhabitants of the Okefenokee Swamp include not only Pogo the Possum but also Kermit the Frog.

Continue reading →

WWALS Day of Giving 2024 #GAGIVES

You don’t have to be in Georgia, and you don’t have to wait until Tuesday, to donate to this fundraiser to support WWALS:
https://www.gagives.org/story/Wwals-Gagives2024

[Day of Giving 2024: Banks Lake, Alapaha River Rise, Juneteenth, Festivals, Chainsaw Cleanups, Sewage, Water Quality, Okefenokee Swamp]
Day of Giving 2024: Banks Lake, Alapaha River Rise, Juneteenth, Festivals, Chainsaw Cleanups, Sewage, Water Quality, Okefenokee Swamp

WWALS Mission

WWALS advocates for conservation and stewardship of the surface waters and groundwater of the Suwannee River Basin and Estuary, in south Georgia and north Florida, among them the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds, through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.

Advocacy

Continue reading →

Madison Health lifts Health Advisory for Withlacoochee River 2024-11-20

Update 2024-11-22: Cleaner Withlacoochee River 2024-11-21.

We have asked for their Friday and Monday results, and we will post them when we get them.

[Madison Health Lifts Withlacoochee River Health Advisory 2024-10-20]
Madison Health Lifts Withlacoochee River Health Advisory 2024-10-20

November 20, 2024

…

Madison, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Madison County (DOH-Madison) is lifting the advisory for high bacterial levels in the Withlacoochee River.

Tests completed on Continue reading →

Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp –Gretchen Quarterman 2024-11-10-11

It was drizzly and it rained on Floyds Island, but everybody enjoyed it anyway.

[Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-10-11, Suwannee River, and Middle Fork]
Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-10-11, Suwannee River, and Middle Fork

Thanks to Brack Barker for leading this Floyds Island Campout, 9 miles upstream on the Suwannee River in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Thanks to Gretchen Quarterman for these pictures.

Not many gators were visible, but there was a tree full of wood storks. Continue reading →