Update 2022-11-07: It’s Crawford Branch next to Skipper Bridge, Withlacoochee River 2022-11-03.
Just south (downstream) of Skipper Bridge, left (east) bank, Withlacoochee River: what is this creek gushing water during a drought?
Where is all that water coming from? It was really flowing Thursday, after no rain for weeks. Continue reading
Update 2022-11-07: a few more dam pictures in here: Troupville River Park Scouting 2022-07-02.
About halfway between Troupville Boat Ramp and the Troup Bridge (the GA 133 Little River Bridge), are these remains of an old dam.
Phillip Williams pointed this out some time back.
Maybe Don Davis can turn up some records of this dam.
![[Timbers seen from downstream, 11:05:42, 30.8519297, -83.3472014]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-03--wq/20221103_110542.jpg)
Timbers seen from downstream, 11:05:42, 30.8519297, -83.3472014
in the WWALS Map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail
Bridge pilings are vertical, not horizontal.
Horizontal timbers would make sense to hold a dam in place. Right next to Troupville would be a good place for a mill, which would need a dam. Continue reading
Downstream of the Little River Confluence should be fine for boating, swimming, or fishing in the Withlacoochee River this weekend, and apparently same for the Little and Alapaha Rivers.
On the Withlacoochee River, I got a high E. coli result at Langdale Park Boat Ramp, but there’s not enough water to paddle there anyway.
No new sewer spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia or Florida.
![[Chart, Creeks and Rivers, Swim Guide 2022-11-03]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-03--wq/many.jpg)
Chart, Creeks and Rivers, Swim Guide 2022-11-03
WWALS tested 23 sites yesterday: the usual 1 on the Alapaha River, 2 on the Little River, and 9 on the Withlacoochee River and 11 on its upstream creeks Cat Creek, Beatty Branch, and Beaverdam Creek, plus Sugar Creek.
We are trying to find the source of the high E. coli Valdosta keeps finding at US 41 and GA 133 on the Withlacoochee River. Continue reading
Hint: the answer is not Tyler Bridge on Franklinville Road.
Which of the other three Withlacoochee River Bridges is highest? GA 133? US 41 (North Valdosta Road)? Or Skipper Bridge?
![[Four Withlacoochee River bridges]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-03--which-bridge-highest/many.jpg)
Four Withlacoochee River bridges
How do I know? I threw a bucket off each bridge, and dragged it back up twice with water in it. Continue reading
Thanks, Sweet William Billy Ennis, for winning last year and returning this year to headline the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.
Join us for 2 nights of rustic camping and cooking at Griffis Fish Camp on the Suwannee River downstream from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugee. Camping cost is $5.00 per person per night. There is also a $2.00 launch fee for each person. We have the Red Top shelter reserved so you can pitch your tent anywhere in the area. If you need hookup for a camper, you’ll need to reserve your own spot. Bring some firewood if you can. It gets dark early & chilly in December and we’ll enjoy a campfire both nights.
When: Gather 4 PM, launch none, sunset 5:29 PM, end all day, Friday, December 2, 2022
Gather 8:45 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end allday, Saturday, December 3, 2022
Wake up 8 AM, launch whenever you like, end go home, Sunday, December 4, 2022
Put In Friday: 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: 30.78246, -82.443594
Take Out Friday: camping
Put In Saturday: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park, in Charlton County.
Saturday we’ll launch from Stephen Foster State Park at 9:30 and paddle 7 miles back to Griffis, with a lunch stop at the Sill where we will probably have to portage over. If the water level continues to be low, be prepared to portage your kayak over low spots and deadfall. If you don’t have a Ga. State Park pass or a National Park Pass, there is a fee for parking at SFSP. Ga. State Park passes are also free to borrow from any public library.
Take Out Saturday: Griffis Fish Camp
Back at camp we’ll get the fires going and start cooking. Show us what you can do with your old cast iron! There is no menu, absolutely anything goes. Bring your own plates/bowls/utensils to help reduce waste.
Put In Sunday: Griffis Fish Camp
GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594
Sunday morning will be a leisurely packing up. There is no check out time. If there is interest (and clean pots) maybe we can cook breakfast too. Everyone is free to go back to explore the Okefenokee further before heading home.
Take Out Sunday: Go home
![[Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-02--camp-paddle-griffis/many.jpg)
Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach
Update 2022-11-18: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Frost Moon paddle 2022-11-08.
Leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle on our mini-Okefenokee, Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, just west of Lakeland, Georgia. There may also still be bats.
This Outing is honoring Veterans, who get free entry.
When: Gather 4:30 PM, launch 5 PM, moonrise 5:52 PM, sunset 5:39 PM, end 7 PM, Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
![[Sunset and Moonrise, 2022-10-09, jsq & EB]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-08--banks-lake-full-frost-moon/many.jpg)
Sunset and Moonrise, 2022-10-09, jsq & EB
Kevin Stephenson of Valdosta, Georgia, won Best Country for his song, “It Don’t Get No Better Than This –The Alapaha,” 2022 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.
![[Kevin Stephenson, It Don't Get No Better Than This]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-08-20--songwriting-stephenson/stephenson.jpg)
Kevin Stephenson, It Don’t Get No Better Than This
Thanks, Kevin! Here’s a WWALS video playlist: Continue reading
Most of the Lowndes County Commissioners were not familiar with the water quality testing WWALS is doing, and now they are.
![[Summary of WWALS water quality testing @ LCC 2022-10-11]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-10-11--suwrk-lcc-testing-video/2022-10-11--suwrk-lcc-testing.jpg)
Summary of WWALS water quality testing @ LCC 2022-10-11
Here’s the video: Continue reading
Not many miles, but packed with sinks, a beach, two rivers, and the big one: the Dead River Sink, on October 2, 2022. Thanks, Dennis Price, for leading us, and for chainsawing our way in.
![[Sasser Landing, Alapaha River, Dead River Sink 2022-10-02]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-10-02--alapaha-dead-river-pictures/many.jpg)
Sasser Landing, Alapaha River, Dead River Sink 2022-10-02
Thanks to Randy Madison for the ropes that got the boats up the cliff at the Confluence.
Thanks to Phil Royce for helping haul a couple of boats up the Jennings Bluff stairs.
More pictures are below. They’re also in a facebook photoset.
See also facebook photosets by: Continue reading
![[Pictures, Map]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-03--ziegler-creek/many.jpg)
![[Dying Man Blues --Sweet William Billy Ennis]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-08-20--billy-ennis-headliner-videos/MVI_2598-09-59-dying-man-blues.jpg)