Update 2017-09-15: On the seventh day.
Hurricane Irma is bringing flood levels on on most of the rivers in the Suwannee River Basin. Here are the gages with projections from downstream to upstream, since Irma is coming from the south. The images here are static to show this moment, but click on any image to go through to the live gage.
Everyone is a bit preoccupied right now tying things down for the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever observed, so the Outings Committee has canceled this Sunday’s Rivers Alive Cleanup and Paddle Outing on the Alapaha River at Pafford’s Landing. Hurricane Irma may still decide to go east or west, but for a hurricane, better safe than sorry. Depending on the aftermath, we may reschedule for next weekend; stay tuned.
These maps are details from
New York Times, UPDATED 12:45 PM ET, SEPT. 8, 2017,
Maps: Tracking Hurricane Irma’s Path.
Four days ago Florida governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in all 67 Florida counties, and Monroe County, including Key West, was evacuating.
Irma is currently predicted to drop from Continue reading
Georgia Power (and Florida Power & Light and Jacksonville Electric Authority) created the coal ash; they can find ways to dispose of it safely on their own land. And if FPL is shutting down coal plants, how about shutting down its Unit 4 at Plant Scherer, which sends mercury into our Alapaha River. FPL bought into that unit decades ago with the same excuses it’s using for the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline now: shutting down a different generating plant, and alleged (now admitted false) need for more electricity.
The Georgia Power coal ash pond at Plant Scherer, seen here in this undated company photo, will be closed over the next three years. Fabian, Liz – Macon
Special to The [Macon] Telegraph
Kristina Torres, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, More safeguards could be considered for coal ash ponds in Georgia, Continue reading
The Google map of locations on Old Coffee Road was used by many of the early settlers of south central Georgia, including in the watersheds of the Willacoochee, Alapaha, Withlacoochee, and Little Rivers and Okapilco Creek. It crossed all those and other waterways by ford or private ferry: there were no bridges back then.
Follow
this link for the interactive google map.
The Georgia Historical Commission erected markers at half a dozen locations in the 1950s and 1960, reading: Continue reading
Come ask Gretchen questions this Thursday morning, 10-11AM, at VSU’s Continuing Education building in midtown Valdosta.
When: 10AM to 11AM, Thursday, August 31, 2017
Where:
VSU Continuing Education
903 N Patterson St, Valdosta, Georgia 31698
Event: facebook
Gretchen Quarterman speaking at a WWALS public meeting at VSU last spring
WWALS will be offering an interactive lecture at Valdosta State Learning in Retirement Fall Session. We will talk about the watershed of the Suwannee Basin, the Floridan Aquifer, current challenges, and how together we can make sure our water is swimmable, fishable, and drinkable.
Continue readingPlenty of trash to pick up on the site of the WWALS Rivers Alive Cleanup and Paddle Outing, Alapaha River 2017-09-10.
Such a nice river. Come help clean it up!
See also one reason we always give a safety lecture before boating.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
Continue readingHistoric church, steep downhill access to the Alapaha River, and lots of trash.
Why would anybody trash a nice river like that? Continue reading
Many of you know Julian Fields, retired forester, very knowledgable about many things around south Georgia. In this video, he’s showing people where Old Coffee Road forded the Alapaha River. I haven’t been able to find a map of any age that shows that ford. However, given that Old Coffee Road in Berrien County goes as far as Rowetown Church Road, I’d guess either Rowetown Church Road is where Old Coffee Road crossed the river, at Rowetown Church Cemetery, or it was somewhat upstream. Does anybody know?
Or I suppose I could just ask Julian. Here’s the video: Continue reading
Update 2019-05-09: fixed URLs and added map.
It has a name and it is listed: Lola Tract; WMA Stockton:
Google Streetview, Lanier County CR 123 off of US 84 aka GA 38.
Lola Tract WMA is a 391 acre property near Stockton. Hunting opportunities include deer, bear, turkey and small game.
This property is only open during hunt dates.
Directions:
From Stockton Take Hwy. 84 west for 1.4 miles. WMA kiosk is on the right. WMA is on both sides of the river.
Voluntary Public Access Area
Continue reading
Yes, it’s a WMA on both sides of the Alapaha River, and it will open for hunting this year. It’s also one of seven or eight, all also Dr. Acree’s land. They will each have names, which are currently unknown, but will pop up in the next few days on the DNR website.
Photo: John S. Quarterman, 2 April 2017, in Alapaha River, Hotchkiss Road to US 84 2017-04-02
This WMA information is from someone who’s been on site and knows the details, Continue reading