Tag Archives: Shirley Kokidko

Pictures: First Day Paddle at Banks Lake 2026-01-01

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Our first paddle of 2026 was during the day on beautiful Banks Lake, just west of Lakeland, GA, on New Years Day.

A hardy band of five paddlers, some very experienced, some very novice, paddled into the eastern sun glare, then west to the bat tree. We saw Sand Hill Cranes and an osprey nest, but no bats.

[First Day Paddle, Banks Lake 2026-01-01, Sand Hill Cranes, See-through bat tree]
First Day Paddle, Banks Lake 2026-01-01, Sand Hill Cranes, See-through bat tree

Here are some video clips:

https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/867635092790046/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTNpYodiJhP/

https://youtu.be/glaea7oHi9g

This was Shirley Kokidko’s experiment in a day paddle on Banks Lake. This is the third time we’ve done this, after 2023-09-04, when I found this bat tree, and 2025-08-23.

Plus the outboard birding 2025-12-04, in which the birders noticed feathers falling from a nest in the bat tree.

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. Continue reading →

First Day Paddle at Banks Lake 2026-01-01

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Happy New Year! Join us for our first paddle of 2026 on beautiful Banks Lake. We’ll paddle the perimeter of the lake, which is approximately 4 miles around. Once we launch there will be no place to get out of your kayak until we return to the boat ramp. Dress accordingly for the weather, we will cancel if it’s raining.

When: Gather 9:30 AM, launch 10 AM, end 12 PM, Thursday, January 1, 2026

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[First Day Paddle at Banks Lake, Happy New Year, January 1, 2026]
First Day Paddle at Banks Lake, Happy New Year, January 1, 2026

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Suwannee River Sill and Mixons Hammock –Shirley Kokidko 2025-11-26

Here’s what the second and third gates in the Suwannee River Sill looked like a week after Shirley Kokidko’s Low water at the first gate, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp 2025-11-20. Plus a gator ambling down to the river, and Mixon’s Hammock, upstream towards Stephen C. Foster State Park.

[Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp --Shirley Kokidko, Alligator, Second and Third Gates, and Mixons Hammock 2025-11-26]
Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp –Shirley Kokidko, Alligator, Second and Third Gates, and Mixons Hammock 2025-11-26

Here are a few videos:

Remember, despite the Florida myth, the gates in the Suwannee River Sill are always open, since about 2001.

The third gate isn’t even a gate: it’s just a breach in that 4.5-mile earthen dam, so the North Fork of the Suwannee River can get through. The Sill was meant to keep water levels up in the Swamp to prevent wildfires, but it did not succeed. Also, it turns out wildfires are necessary for the Swamp’s vegetation to regenerate itself. So after a study starting in 1998 and a two-year trial period, the gates have always been open.

The current low water in the Swamp and in the Suwannee River is because we’re in a drought.

It rained a bit the last day or so, and more is predicted. But so far that has made almost no difference in the level of the Suwannee River at Fargo, GA.

Other rivers in the Suwannee River Basin also show almost no change. See Current River and Lake Levels by Florida’s Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD).
http://www.mysuwanneeriver.org/realtime/river-levels.php

There is a gauge at the Sill, but Continue reading →

Low water at the first gate, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp 2025-11-20

Looks like you could paddle through the Suwannee River Sill, but it’s not clear how far you would get through the Narrows below Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp before you got to the Sill.

[Low water, first gate, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp, Thursday, November 20, 2025]
Low water, first gate, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp, Thursday, November 20, 2025

Yesterday Shirley Kokidko checked on water levels in the Suwannee River in the Okefenokee Swamp. She says there is enough water to paddle to Billys Island or Minnies Lake.

Until we get some rain to break this drought, paddling from SCFSP to Griffis Fish Camp will be doubtful.

Here is a video Shirley sent from the First Gate at the Suwannee River Sill, the 4.5-mile-long earthen dam that was supposed to keep water levels up in the Okefenokee Swamp to prevent fires, but did not work.

https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/854041060433085

https://youtu.be/xrNMTGZtws0 Continue reading →

Paddle to explore Big Shoals, Suwannee River 2025-11-05

The Suwannee River is low and shoals are exposed so lets go exploring. We’ll launch from the steps at Big Shoals Tract Launch and paddle one mile to the portage. Then we’ll walk out to the shoals and enjoy the unusual view of shoals that are usually covered with rushing water. This could be the prettiest lunch spot you’ve ever had.

When: Gather 9:30 AM, launch 10 AM, end 2 PM, Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Put In: Big Shoals Tract Launch From White Springs, travel north on CR 135 to SE 94 Street (Godwin Bridge Road); turn right and follow road to Big Shoals, in Hamilton County, Florida.

GPS: 30.3529705, -82.6879375

[Explore Big Shoals, Suwannee River, Day Paddle, 2025-11-05]
Explore Big Shoals, Suwannee River, Day Paddle, 2025-11-05

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Pictures: Georgia Rivers Alive Trash Pick Up, Alapaha River, Mayday Landing, 2025-09-20

Participants got a Georgia Rivers Alive t-shirt for helping clean up this sand-slope party spot on the WWALS Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

Thanks to Gretchen Quarterman to organizing, and to Shirley Kokidko and an anonymous for picking up trash along with Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman.

This was at Mayday Landing, 749 Howell Road, Stockton, GA 31649. left bank, east side of the Alapaha River, south of Howell Road, north of the railroad bridge, in Echols County. GPS: 30.82827, -83.017179

[Georgia Rivers Alive Trash Pick Up 2025-09-20, Alapaha River, Mayday Landing]
Georgia Rivers Alive Trash Pick Up 2025-09-20, Alapaha River, Mayday Landing

We collected several hundred pounds of trash. Continue reading →

Little River Labor Day Paddle, Reed Bingham St Pk West Ramp 2025-09-01

Join us for a 7-mile round trip paddle up the Little River at Reed Bingham State Park. We’ll meet at the boat ramp on the west side of the park and paddle up to the Red Roberts Landing bridge and back to the launch. Everyone must wear a PFD while paddling.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:15 AM, end 12:45 PM, Monday, September 1, 2025

Put In: Reed Bingham Sate Park West Ramp, 542 Reed Bingham Rd, Adel, GA 31620. Take I-75 Exit 39, turn west on GA 37, right on Evergreen Church Road (CR 99), left on Reed Bingham SP Road (CR 221), in Colquitt County.

GPS: 31.16703, -83.54647

[Little River, Labor Day Paddle, Reed Bingham State Park, West Ramp, 2025-09-01]
Little River, Labor Day Paddle, Reed Bingham State Park, West Ramp, 2025-09-01

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Pictures: Black Moon morning paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23

Update 2026-01-07: Pictures: First Day Paddle at Banks Lake 2026-01-01.

It was a small but jolly group on the morning Black Moon paddle around the perimeter of Banks Lake, approximately 4 miles. Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading this one.

We saw a little gator as we were starting, and I saw a bigger one later.

We found again the same cleft bat tree we found September 4, 2023.

Plenty of water lilies and red maple turning red.

Two white birds, one probably a Great Egret.

Seasonal Black Moons happen about once every 33 months. It was the third of four new moons in a season.

[Black Moon morning paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23, Gator, bats, red maple, lilies, and Great Egret flying]
Black Moon morning paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23, Gator, bats, red maple, lilies, and Great Egret flying

See also pictures by: Continue reading →

Black Moon Morning Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23

Update 2025-08-24: Pictures: Black Moon morning paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23.

Come out and join us for a morning Black Moon paddle around the perimeter of Banks Lake, approximately 4 miles. After we launch there isn’t anywhere to get out of your boat for a break until we get back to the boat ramp.

Seasonal Black Moons happen about once every 33 months and the next one is this Saturday. It’s the third of four new moons in a season.

Banks Lake Outdoors has kayaks and canoes for rent.

When: Gather 8:30 AM, launch 8:45 AM, Sunrise 7:03 AM, Moonrise 7:18 AM, end 10:45 AM, Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[Black Moon Morning Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23, Third of four new moons in a season]
Black Moon Morning Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-08-23, Third of four new moons in a season

Continue reading →

Pictures: Turner Bridge to Cone Bridge Paddle, Suwannee River, 2025-07-05

Shirley Kokidko sent these pictures of the 11.2-mile paddle on the upper Suwannee River from Turner Bridge to Cone Bridge. Thanks to her for leading. She remarked, “I didn’t take many pictures, just loved soaking up a beautiful day on the river with Joyce Ball and Steve Shaw.”

[Turner Bridge to Cone Bridge, Suwannee River 2025-07-05, Thanks to Shirley Kokidko]
Turner Bridge to Cone Bridge, Suwannee River 2025-07-05, Thanks to Shirley Kokidko

Also, “It was perfect weather, we bobbled around in our PFD’s in the river just to make sure they are still buoyant enough to keep us afloat, talked about self rescue, assisted rescue and other fun things. Two kayak campers passed us going upstream for a couple of nights. Otherwise we were the only ones out until we got to the ramp at Cone Bridge. Lots of big bass boats with BIG motors, in and out of the water, nobody was there to fish, just river fun. Maybe it was a club, everybody very friendly. I love this Turner to Cone section. Easy shuttle and beautiful paddle. We should do it again sometime.”

See also Continue reading →