This is part 2 of the Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup of Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Part 1 was downstream.
Here we go upstream, with Brianna Schawalder of Trails4Valdosta in her canoe, helping pull limbs aside and photographing, and Russell Hassenstab of Kona Ice paddling the Suwannee Riverkeeper Old Town Canoe, while Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman chainsaws.
Here are some video snippets.
Thanks to Continue reading
Update 2026-04-26: Pictures: Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Upstream, Withlacoochee River 2026-03-29.
Brianna Schawalder of Trails4Valdosta and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman did some sawing from the Suwannee Riverkeeper Old Town Canoe, but most of the work downstream from Langdale Park Boat Ramp on the Withlacoochee River was done by Austin Roark and his equipment and crew from Roark’s Land Clearing and Restoration.
They removed the snaggly tree just downstream from the boat ramp that was making fishing and paddling difficult. And a tree a bit farther down that stuck so far across it was eroding the right bank.
Cindy Vedas come to staff a WWALS table at the boat ramp.
Phil Hubbard couldn’t come because he had the flu.
Here are a few video snippets:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/931293323150513/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXjp9PFCLct/
After we went upstream and back (stay tuned for that report), whole families were fishing where those trees had been.
So that looks like success.
Thanks to all, and to Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for their cooperation.
Continue readingWe aim to clear a wide and deep enough passage for canoes, kayaks, and jon boats. Sometimes we will clear more if it’s obviously going to just fall back into the passage, or if it will be a problem at a different water level. But we remove only what we must.
We leave most of the rest as habitat for fish, turtles, otters, birds, and other wildlife. Shade, eddies, pools, and general variation in river flow result; all good for wildlife. You may notice that experienced fishers often cast near woody debris for this reason.
![[WWALS Chainsaw Cleanups clear passage, leaving habitat, 2026-03-23]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-23--chainsaw-river-passage/many.jpg)
WWALS Chainsaw Cleanups clear passage, leaving habitat, 2026-03-23
As a reminder, to join WWALS on any river outing you must listen to the safety lecture and sign the insurance waiver. Every person in a boat, no matter their age or size or experience, must wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
Here are more than 50 examples of WWALS chainsaw cleanups:
https://wwals.net/outings/chainsaw-cleanups/
You can see plenty of habitat beyond where TJ is sawing in this picture. Continue reading
Update 2026-04-26: Pictures: Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Upstream, Withlacoochee River 2026-03-29.
Update 2026-04-25: Pictures: Downstream chainsawing, Langdale Park Boat Ramp 2026-03-29.
Update 2026-03-23: WWALS Chainsaw Cleanups clear passage, leaving habitat 2026-03-23.
With Brianna Schawalder of Trails4Valdosta, meet at Langdale Park Boat Ramp @ 9 AM. We will remove deadfalls and debris to permit passage as far upstream on the Withlacoochee River as we are able within an approximate 6 hour time frame. Volunteers do not have to use a chainsaw if not experienced. Help with debris and trash removal as well as photos and videos assistance are always welcome. Bring your kayak and join this adventure.
You do not have to boat. You can walk along the left (east) bank of the river in Langdale Park. As Brianna Schawalder says, let’s make 2026 the Year of Outdoor Recreation in Lowndes County.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 4 PM, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Put In: Langdale Park Boat Ramp, 3781 N. Valdosta Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602, on Hyta Mederer Drive.
GPS: 30.88747, -83.32395
![[Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, with Trails4Valdosta]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-29--langdale-park-chainsaw-cleanup-withlacoochee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, with Trails4Valdosta
Thanks to Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for support for all this. Continue reading
Update 2026-03-21: The water level is now too low for the jon boat. Still meet at Troupville Boat Ramp to decide on the actual put in with a WWALS canoe and any kayaks or canoes you bring.
Launching the WWALS jonboat from the Troupville Ramp, around the Little River Confluence and up the Withlacoochee River, we will remove deadfalls and debris to permit passage as far upstream as we are able within an approximate 6 hour time frame. Volunteers do not have to use a chainsaw if not experianced. Help with debris and trash removal as well as photos and videos assistance are always welcome. Bring your kayak and join this adventure.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 3:30 PM, Saturday, March 21, 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.
![[Chainsaw cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Upstream from Troupville, 9 AM, 2026-03-21]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-21--chainsaw-cleanup-withlacoochee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Chainsaw cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Upstream from Troupville, 9 AM, 2026-03-21
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]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-28--chainsaw-cleanup-withlacoochee-river-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
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/
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
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]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-21--chainsaw-cleanup-withlacoochee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek, Downstream 2026-02-21
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/
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]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-14--chainsaw-cleanup-sugar-creek-to-troupville-withlacoochee-river-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
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
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.
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville, 9 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2026]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-14--chainsaw-cleanup-sugar-creek-to-troupville-withlacoochee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville, 9 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2026
Thanks, Phil.
Here’s a video:
https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/2205168176559427
https://youtube.com/shorts/KQ_mqQSzUEE?feature=share
What was wrong with it? It ran fine, if you didn’t mind gasoline leaking down your leg, and it running for only a couple of minutes.
Maybe I shouldn’t have set it on top of my running tractor. It fell five feet down onto a concrete floor. Turns out that’s bad for the gas tank.
No kind of glue would fix it. And you can’t just replace the gas tank: it’s integralto the chassis.
So I bought a new crank case. And Phil swapped the guts of the saw into it.
Runs fine now, and does not leak.
Thanks again to Wild Green Future for the generous grant that bought this Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch chainsaw, as well as two outboard motors, a trolling motor, some LIFEPO2 batteries, and related items.
After the holidays, we’ll be back to doing chainsaw cleanups. Continue reading
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Upstream from Langdale Park BR, Towards US 41 Bridge, Sunday, March 29, 2026]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-29--langdale-park-chainsaw-pictures/many.jpg)
![[Pictures: Downstream chainsawing, Langdale Park Boat Ramp 2026-03-29, Roark Land Clearing and Restoration, Trail4Valdosta, WWALS]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-29--langdale-park-chainsaw-pictures-downstream/many.jpg)
![[Phil Hubbard fixed the Husqvarna 24-inch chainsaw 2025-12-21, Thanks for the grant to WWALS from Wild Green Future]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-12-21--phil-hubbard-fixed-husqvarna-chainsaw/many.jpg)