Tag Archives: Ichetucknee Headsprings

Residents raise concerns over WFNF and Suwannee River –WCTV 2026-03-18

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TV reported on the WWALS Workshop on Crafting Public Comments, yesterday at the Live Oak Public Library.

Don Hale came to speak about the resolution against WFNF that the dozen-county Task Force had passed earlier that same day, and the letter the Suwannee County BOCC had passed the previous evening.

For much more about WFNF, see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

[Residents raise concerns over WFNF and Suwannee River --WCTV 2026-03-18]
Residents raise concerns over WFNF and Suwannee River –WCTV 2026-03-18

Julia Miller, WCTV, March 18, 2026, Residents raise concerns over Water First North Florida project impacting Suwannee River:
Residents held a discussion ahead of the Water First North Florida Project open house on Thursday

SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV)—Residents are weighing in on a North Florida water project that could impact the Suwannee River.

The “Water First North Florida Project” will be discussed at a public open house on Thursday, with officials saying it could help meet water demand and restore the river and aquifer.

Community members gathered Continue reading →

Crafting Effective Public Comments @ Live Oak Library –WWALS Workshop 2026-03-18

Update 2026-03-19: Residents raise concerns over WFNF and Suwannee River –WCTV 2026-03-18.
Much more about WFNF here: https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

Update 2026-03-09: Chance to speak to SRWMD at its Board Meeting, 9 AM, Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Come to a WWALS Workshop to prepare to make public comments.

The workshop will be 5-6:30 PM, Wednesday, March 18, 2026,
at the Live Oak Public Library, 1848 Ohio Ave S, Live Oak, FL 32064.

[Crafting Effective Public Comments @ Live Oak Library --WWALS Workshop 2026-03-18]
Crafting Effective Public Comments @ Live Oak Library –WWALS Workshop 2026-03-18

Here is a facebook event to remind you, and so you can invite people:

https://www.facebook.com/events/694551033680363/

This workshop is conveniently the day before the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) will hold a public meeting at its Live Oak headquarters on Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin.

But there are always opportunities to make public comments, written, by telephone, or in person.

When you do, be polite, be brief, be specific, say something different from what everybody else said, tie it to your experience and to evidence, and connect to the larger picture.

All in a memorable way, of course.

As an example, read how the Columbia County Observer wrote up Hailey Hall’s comments on WFNF to the Columbia County Commission on February 21, 2026. Continue reading →

Pictures: Ichetucknee River in the State Park 2025-04-05

Update 2025-04-14: Videos.

The weather was perfect, the river and springs were crystal clear, the company was congenial, and there were many turtles and birds (and tubers), on the Ichetucknee River in spring.

[Ichetucknee River, Springs, Turtles, Birds, Tubers 2025-04-05, North Launch past South Launch, to US 27 Bridge]
Ichetucknee River, Springs, Turtles, Birds, Tubers 2025-04-05, North Launch past South Launch, to US 27 Bridge

Thanks to Janet Martin for organizing this outing, and for some of the pictures here.

Videos:

On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/1026695632691778/

On YouTube:
https://youtu.be/awFdQjOQGzo

These pictures go from Ichetucknee Springs State Park North Entrance, past many springs and tubers, past South Launch, to the south end of the park.

To be continued with the rest of the Ichetucknee River with many boats, and the Santa Fe River to US 129, with many power boats going fast.

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

Continue reading →

Rescheduled: Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers 2025-04-05

Update 2025-05-11: Pictures: Ichetucknee River in the State Park 2025-04-05.

Rescheduled again to April 5, 2025, because of river closure: they were still cleaning Hurricane Helene debris out of the river through the previous date.

We apologize for the inconvenience. We are also disappointed. But neither we nor the park control hurricanes, and the park does not control the schedule of Tallahassee or the contractors for removing hurricane debris.

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, April 5, 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 2025-04-05, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp]
Ichetucknee River to Santa Fe River 2025-04-05, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp

Continue reading →

Rescheduled: Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers 2025-02-22

Update 2025-02-15: Because the river was still closed for hurricane debris removal, Rescheduled: Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers 2025-04-05.

Rescheduled to February 22, 2025, because of park closure.

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 22, 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 2025-02-22, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp]
Ichetucknee River to Santa Fe River 2025-02-22, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp

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 →

Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers, 2024-11-30

Update 2024-11-24: Rescheduled due to schedule conflict: Rescheduled: Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers 2025-02-01.

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, November 30, 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 2024-11-30, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp]
Ichetucknee River to Santa Fe River 2024-11-30, Ichetucknee Springs S.P. North to US 129 Boat Ramp

Continue reading →