Come help us clean up more trash jams we found last time.
Most of it is legacy trash from Valdosta.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 5, 2023
Put In: Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, 6499 Knights Ferry Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601, in Lowndes County.
GPS: 30.71205, -83.45554
![[Floating trash jam 2023-04-08 and on-land trash 2022-12-17]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-03--kf-nankin-withlacoochee-cleanup/many.jpg)
Floating trash jam 2023-04-08 and
on-land trash 2022-12-17
Update 2023-05-02: Pictures: Cleanup below Knights Ferry, Withlacoochee River 2023-04-08.
Clean up more trash jams we found last time on the Withlacoochee River. Plus someone has reported a trashjam blocking the river.
All Valdosta city officials are invited, especially Mayor, Council, City Manager, City Engineer, Stormwater Manager, and, as special guests, the City Marshalls. If you don’t have a boat, we will supply one.
Russell promises to grill hamburgers at the end.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, April 8, 2023
Put In: Knights Ferry Boat Ramp
GPS: 30.71205, -83.45554
![[Cleanup at floating trash jam, banners at start 2022-12-17]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-04-08--kf-cleanup-withlacoochee-river/many.jpg)
Cleanup at floating trash jam, banners at start 2022-12-17
Last Time: Pictures: Another Knights Ferry to Nankin Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2022-12-17. Continue reading
We’ll probably see more bats on this leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle on Banks Lake, our mini-Okefenokee, just west of Lakeland, Georgia.
When: Gather 6:45 PM, launch 7:15 PM, moonrise 8:37 PM, sunset 7:55 PM, end 9:30 PM, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
![[Banks Lake Full Moon pictures from 2020-05-07]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-04-06--banks-lake-full-pink-moon/many.jpg)
Banks Lake Full Moon pictures from 2020-05-07
Update 2023-01-26: Valdosta needs more trash traps, but can’t expect volunteers to clean them 2023-01-26.
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman interviewed Russell Allen McBride on a cold winter’s day on another WWALS Withlacoochee River Cleanup from Knights Ferry to Nankin Boat Ramps.
![[Floating trash jam and banners 2022-12-17]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-17--kf-nankin-cleanup-videos/many.jpg)
Floating trash jam and banners 2022-12-17
Many of us eight volunteers recognized the trash as having the same brand names as what we frequently find in Sugar Creek, Hightower Creek, One Mile Branch, Two Mile Branch, and Three Mile Branch in Valdosta. Beer cans, plastic bottles, and, worst of all, styrofoam, which breaks into small pieces that wildlife eat and cannot digest.
Here’s
a LAKE video playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKwQ5xfKf-QyT4OcVEYJOcmvAjrhjJAOK
Update 2023-03-31: Yet Another Cleanup Knights Ferry to Nankin, Withlacoochee River 2023-04-08.
Update 2023-01-30: Videos: Valdosta trash on the Withlacoochee River 2022-12-17.
Eight WWALS volunteers braved a cold winter’s day on another WWALS Withlacoochee River Cleanup from Knights Ferry to Nankin Boat Ramps, because we couldn’t get it all two weeks before.
After a big on-land cleanup and a floating trash jam, we also saw the wood piers of old Knights Ferry Bridge, Floating Marsh Pennywort, invasive Flowering Cleome houtteana, many private landings, Redland Creek, many rocks, many interesting trees, and Nankin Shoals.
Thanks to Russell Allen McBride for organizing, and volunteers Suzy Hall, Will Hart, Amy Myers, Gretchen Quarterman Scott, and Calvin.
![[Composite, Another KF to Nankin Cleanup, 2022-12-17]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-17--kf-nankin-cleanup-pictures/many.jpg)
Composite, Another KF to Nankin Cleanup, 2022-12-17
Where did this styrofoam, plastic bottles, and cans come from? Almost certainly the City of Valdosta. See Valdosta Mayor Scott James on trash at Hightower Creek 2022-12-15.
There’s at least that much more trash on the river that we’ll have to come back to get.
At least Valdosta has started to stop trash from getting into the river.
They have much more to do:
https://wwals.net/issues/trash
Here’s a summary in a WWALS video playlist by Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman:
Continue readingUpdate 2022-12-21: Pictures: Another Knights Ferry to Nankin Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2022-12-17.
Come help clean up more trash jams we found last time. It’s going to be cold, so dress warmly in layers and bring a change in a dry bag.
We found a new creek that we’re calling River Bend Plantation Creek because that’s the property it mostly runs through.
Speaking of which, the main big new trash pile is on the edge of River Bend Plantation. Could someone who knows them please ask them to contact WWALS about land access or closer river access?
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, December 17, 2022
Put In: Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, 6499 Knights Ferry Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601.
GPS: 30.71205, -83.45554
![[Trash on land and river]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-17--kf-nankin-cleanup/many.jpg)
Trash on land and river 2022-12-03; Photos: John S. Quarterman
Update 2023-07-22: Pictures: Sugar Creek Withlacoochee River on-land cleanup 2023-07-22.
Update 2023-05-18: Sugar Creek to Troupville, Withlacoochee River Cleanup 2023-07-22.
Update 2022-05-16: Trash at No Water No Beer 2022-05-07.
When Russell says don’t bring a boat to a cleanup, bring a boat for use as a garbage scow. Fortunately, Valdosta Mayor Scott James brought a boat. He and Council Andy Gibbs helped clean up at Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River, in that Council district. We filled that kayak with trash, floated it down the river, loaded it on the Mayor’s truck, and he drove it straight to No Water No Beer at Georgia Beer Co. (his idea).
The Mayor and Phil Hubbard sawed off some deadfalls, clearing passage in the creek. Thanks to them and all the other volunteers for this cleanup. Special thanks to Russell for organizing it.
![[Sugar Creek, Withlacoochee River, trash, Valdosta Mayor and Council]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-05-07--pictures-cleanup-sugar-creek-withlacoochee-river/many.jpg)
Sugar Creek, Withlacoochee River, trash, Valdosta Mayor and Council
Of course, cleanups don’t solve the trash problem. Fortunately, Continue reading
Update 2022-05-14: Mayor, Council, volunteers, helped WWALS clean up Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River 2022-05-07.
We’re changing this Saturday’s paddle to an on-land cleanup below the Salty Snapper parking lot, walking down Sugar Creek to the Withlacoochee River and the railroad bridge.
Because it’s now completely a cleanup, this outing is free! Also, no boat required. Bring mud boots, sturdy clothes, gloves, and any trash pickers you may have. We will supply trash bags. And for the Mayor, a Sawzall.
This reroute is because Continue reading
Come see the sun set and the full pink moon rise, on our leisurely paddle on our mini-Okefenokee, Banks Lake National Wildlife Reserve, just west of Lakeland, Georgia.
When: Gather 7 PM, launch 7:30 PM, moonrise 8:10 PM, sunset 8:01 PM, end 9:30 PM, Saturday, April 16, 2022
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Take Out: Banks Lake Boat Ramp
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup. Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.
Safety:
Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD.
You must have a light for your boat or some type of light to have on yourself (glow sticks work well, or head lamp, flashlight, etc.) so other boaters can see you in the dark. It will be totally dark after sunset.
A whistle is not required, but it’s a good idea in the dark.
Boats:
Bring your own if you have it.
Thanks to Banks Lake Outdoors for free boat rental for these WWALS Full Moon Paddles.
Please ask for boats at least 2 days prior to the event:
on the web form on
https://wwals.net/outings,
or on the facebook event, the meetup,
or call 850-290-2350.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
![[Sunset and Moonrise 2021-04-26; Photos: Bobby McKenzie]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-04-16--banks-lake-full-pink-moon/many.jpg)
Sunset and Moonrise
2021-04-26; Photos: Bobby McKenzie.
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Michelob Ultra, vitamin water, and many other bottles cans, and styrofoam, were netted in two cleanouts at the WWALS trash boom in Sugar Creek. The first was after a weekend half-inch rain, then after the Monday half-inch rain.
KFC appears to have three locations in Valdosta:
Sure, anybody could have thrown that KFC cup away anywhere. But if it came off a KFC parking lot, I’d guess the one at 1207 N. Ashley Street. Continue reading
![[Trash and log jams]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-05-07--langdale-park-sugar-creek-reroute/many.jpg)
![[Trash and boom, Sugar Creek]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-16--sugar-creek-trash-boom/many.jpg)