Tag Archives: Alapaha River Water Trail

Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle 2024-08-19

Update 2024-11-28: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle 2024-08-19.

August’s full moon, called the Sturgeon moon, will be a super moon and a seasonal blue moon, which occurs when there are four full moons in a single astronomical season, instead of the usual three, according to Space.com. These two events make this moon fairly rare, so it will be a sight to see.

When: Gather 7 PM, launch 7:30 PM, moonrise 8:29 PM, sunset 8:10 PM, end 9:15 PM, Monday, August 19, 2024

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[Banks Lake Full, Sturgeon Moon Paddle, Alapaha River Water Trail, Seasonal Blue Moon 2024-08-19]
Banks Lake Full, Sturgeon Moon Paddle, Alapaha River Water Trail, Seasonal Blue Moon 2024-08-19

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Video: Bats of Georgia, including Banks Lake and Douglas –Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR, A WWALS Webinar 2024-08-15

Thanks to Emily Ferrall for the overview of the bats of Georgia. She including species likely to occur at Banks Lake, and footage of the Douglas warehouse bats. She mentioned the Anabat Acoustic Survey Volunteer Project. There was discussion of the Okefenokee Swamp, in a lively question and answer period.

Here’s the zoom video:
https://youtu.be/vLrNyShslSI

[Bats of Georgia, Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR 2024-08-15, A WWALS Webinar, Banks Lake, Douglas, GA, Okefenokee Swamp]
Bats of Georgia, Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR 2024-08-15, A WWALS Webinar, Banks Lake, Douglas, GA, Okefenokee Swamp

Emily Ferrall is a Wildlife Biologist, in the Wildlife Resources Division of the Wildlife Conservation Section of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA-DNR).

She specializes in research and monitoring for nongame mammals in Georgia and spends much of her time working with bats. Emily has been with GA DNR since 2016. Emily earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Georgia with an emphasis in wildlife science.

Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman said a few words about what WWALS does, and WWALS Board President Sara Jay Jones gave a brief introduction, before Emily Ferrall spoke for about 45 minutes, followed by the Q&A period. Continue reading →

Cancelled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17

Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled due to water too high and fast, especially in the Suwannee River, which is still rising.

Due to Tropical Storm Debbie, pushed back a week to August 17, 2024.

Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.

Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.

We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.

We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024

Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.

GPS: 30.528956, -83.039627

[Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise]
Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise

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River water levels in the Suwannee River Basin 2024-08-07

If you want to see water levels throughout the Suwannee River Basin, for example after a hurricane, there are at least three ways:

  1. NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service: color-coded interactive maps
    Easiest to find an access point that is not flooding and not too low.
  2. SRWMD River Levels: numeric water levels in a table
    Most condensed on one page.
  3. WWALS Water Levels: each public access point, with high and low water recommendations, and a link to the WWALS Water Level gauge entry
    If you already have a pretty good idea of where you want to go.

They all get their data from the USGS gauges.

What’s your favorite way? One of these, or something else?

[River Water Levels, Suwannee River Basin, NOAA, USGS, SRWMD, WWALS, Action Stage, Flood, Georgia, Florida]
River Water Levels, Suwannee River Basin, NOAA, USGS, SRWMD, WWALS, Action Stage, Flood, Georgia, Florida

NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides this color-coded map: Continue reading →

Students, forestry and water at Gaskins Forest Education Center 2024-06-28

Thanks to Amanda Rollins of Georgia Forestry Foundation for inviting WWALS to talk about forestry and water to elementary school students from Moultrie, Colquitt County, and Albany, Georgia.

[Gaskins Forest Education Center, Alapaha, GA, 2024-06-28, 2024-07-10, Forestry and Water, Boys & Girls Club, Georgia Forestry Foundation]
Gaskins Forest Education Center, Alapaha, GA, 2024-06-28, 2024-07-10, Forestry and Water, Boys & Girls Club, Georgia Forestry Foundation

At each of two sessions, there were seven groups of students, who cycled by us for 20 minutes each, as one of seven stations.

Thanks to Heather Brasell for hosting this event twice at the Gaskins Forest Education Center.

Thanks to WWALS President Sara Squires Jones and Board member Scotti Jay Jones for staffing the WWALS booth on July 10. Gretchen Quarterman and John S. Quarterman did the same on June 28. Continue reading →

Rescheduled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17

Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17.

Due to Tropical Storm Debbie, pushed back a week to August 17, 2024.

Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.

Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.

We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.

We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024

Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.

GPS: 30.528956, -83.039627

[Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise]
Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise

Continue reading →

Three more Ashburn sewage spills reported more than a week late 2024-07-20

Update 2025-03-01: Ashburn spill locations and causes in GA-EPD Sewage Spills Report 2025-02-26.

Update 2024-08-02: Partly clean Withlacoochee River 2024-08-01.

One of Ashburn’s spills was huge: 250,000 gallons (10,000 is a major spill). All three late-reported spills were into Hat Creek into the Alapaha River.

[Ashburn spills 290,000 gallons 2024-07-20, raw sewage into Hat Creek]
Ashburn spills 290,000 gallons 2024-07-20, raw sewage into Hat Creek,
reported in the July 31, 2024, GA-EPD Sewage Spills Report

That increases Ashburn’s running (pun intended) total to 2,096,500 gallons of raw sewage over the past 13 months: July 2023 through July 2024. Continue reading →

Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-10

Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17.

Update 2024-08-04: Rescheduled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17.

Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.

Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.

We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.

We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 10, 2024

Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.

GPS: 30.528956, -83.039627

[Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-10, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise]
Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-10, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise

Continue reading →

Okapilco Creek, WWALS River Revue, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest on Bill Osborne talk radio 2024-07-30

Songwriters, please send in your song by August 7, as Bill Osborne and I reminded everyone on his morning drive radio show at 7:30 this morning.

The Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest finals will be Saturday, September 7, 2024, during the WWALS River Revue, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia.

[Send songs by August 7, Bill Osborne Radio 2024-07-30, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, WWALS River Revue 2024-09-07]
Send songs by August 7, Bill Osborne Radio 2024-07-30, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, WWALS River Revue 2024-09-07

For that and many other topics we discussed, go to:
https://wwals.net

Here is a video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKwQ5xfKf-QwPL1huvH5anLwRwLEAWu3S&si=guytfiq-hr-aRjPm

Continue reading →

WWALS Webinar: Bats of Georgia, including Banks Lake and Douglas –Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR 2024-08-15

Update 2024-08-17: Video: Bats of Georgia, including Banks Lake and Douglas –Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR, A WWALS Webinar 2024-08-15.

Emily Ferrall will give an overview of the bats of Georgia, including species likely to occur at Banks Lake, and she has footage of the Douglas warehouse bats to show. She will mention the acoustic volunteer program.

[WWALS Webinar: Bats of Georgia, Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR 2024-08-15, including Banks Lake and Douglas warehouse]
WWALS Webinar: Bats of Georgia, Emily Ferrall, GA-DNR 2024-08-15, including Banks Lake and Douglas warehouse

She is a Wildlife Biologist, in the Wildlife Resources Division of the Wildlife Conservation Section of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA-DNR).

She specializes in research and monitoring for nongame mammals in Georgia and spends much of her time working with bats. Emily has been with GA DNR since 2016. Emily earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Georgia with an emphasis in wildlife science.

Register in advance with zoom for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtc-urrD8uE9eK5isu8MaaDuonsv0L3tXe

WWALS Board President Sara Jay Jones will give a brief introduction, Emily Ferrall will speak for about 45 minutes, and we will have questions and answers. Continue reading →