We saw many creeks, a few birds, some karst caves, many sandy beaches, and a deadfall, on the Suwannee River from CR 6 to Cone Bridge Ramp, Saturday, May 4, 2019. We started in Hamilton County, Florida, and ended up in Columbia County.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading this expedition, and to everyone else who paddled.
The river was at about 51.26 NAVD88 on the White Springs gauge.
There are more pictures below. Continue reading
Update 2024-05-08: Sullivan Launch to Madison Boat Ramp, Withlacoochee River 2024-06-08.
Usually, Withlacoochee River water flows into this distributary into a sinkhole. But last Tuesday water was coming out into the river from the Chitty Bend East Distributary. So this swallet changed from a sink to a spring, and the creek changed from a distributary to a tributary.
![[Chitty Bend East Distributary, Withlacoochee River 2024-04-30, Pumping out a stream --Amanda Davis]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-04-30--withlacoochee-swallet/fbmany.jpg)
Chitty Bend East Distributary, Withlacoochee River 2024-04-30, Pumping out a stream –Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis sent these videos that she took on Tuesday, April 30, 2024,
when the
Pinetta gauge was about 55.8 NAVD88.
https://youtube.com/shorts/UCE7siKv_ME
This is in Hamilton County, Florida, upstream from Florida Campsites Ramp and Madison Blue Spring.
WWALS last paddled in there Continue reading
Update 2024-05-05: Chitty Bend East Distributary, Withlacoochee River –Amanda Davis 2024-04-30.
Here is a video and some pictures of Chitty Bend East Distributary, on the Withlacoochee River, where some of the river runs into the woods into some swallets.
That’s between Sullivan Launch and Florida Campsites Ramp, in Twin Rivers State Forest, in Hamilton County, Florida.
Here is the video:
https://youtu.be/kGumuF2thp0?si=EIUB_0w2bAaOUNA1
Or on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/979960170155353
Or on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6j67u3IkE4/
We were on a WWALS outing led by Gee Edwards. The water level was about 54.10 NAVD88 on the Pinetta Gauge.
Some pictures are below. Continue reading
Phil Hubbard, longtime WWALS paddle outings leader, on March 11, 2024, told us why he started a series of chainsaw cleanups two years ago.
He and his son paddled down the Withlacoochee River and encountered more than 20 deadfalls they had to portage. That was Father’s Day, June 19, 2016. He didn’t even know Langdale Park existed before then. They got to Troupville Boat Ramp on the Little River after dark. He joined WWALS to find a way to deal with the deadfalls.
![[Video: Chainsaw Outings, --Phil Hubbard, WWALS Webinar, 2024-04-11]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-04-11--chainsaw-cleanups-wwals-webinar-video/many.jpg)
Video: Chainsaw Outings, –Phil Hubbard, WWALS Webinar, 2024-04-11
We have done 21 chainsaw cleanups on the Withlacoochee River, including during the Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle this year. Phil thinks with a few more at low water, it will be good. The stretch from Langdale Park down past Sugar Creek, around the Little River Confluence and up to Troupville Boat Ramp will be a nice paddle that anybody can do.
Here is the zoom video of this WWALS Webinar about Chainsaw Cleanups by Phil Hubbard:
https://youtu.be/DhjtzsBncOw?si=0zgQX6L04vllB7jV
WWALS also did two chainsaw cleanups on the Suwannee River and one on the Little River. Here are all the ones we can remember: Continue reading
Last Thursday, a photographer came to take some pictures for a story that you will see later.
Renee Bodine is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman and WWALS swamper Shirley Kokidko met her at Fargo Ramp.
A mile up the Suwannee River on the Suwannee Riverkeeper vessel, Renee took pictures of a twisty tree and some blooming tupelo trees.
![[FWS Photographer, Fargo Ramp 2024-04-25, Suwannee Riverkeeper jon boat, and outboard, Suwannee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-04-25--fargo-ramp/fbmany.jpg)
FWS Photographer, Fargo Ramp 2024-04-25, Suwannee Riverkeeper jon boat, and outboard, Suwannee River
The Suwannee River was at 11.9 feet (102.9 NAVD88) on the Fargo Gauge. High enough for the ramp to be underwater, and the parking lot in a foot of water next to it. The ramp to the defunct Visitors Center was also underwater.
Here are some videos:
https://youtu.be/rYDSMO14TkU Continue reading
Update 2024-06-19: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Pink Moon 2024-04-23.
Join us for a leisurely paddle to see the sun set and the full moon rise. Water lilies are in bloom and bats are active.
When: Gather 7 PM, launch 7:30 PM, moonrise 8:05 PM, sunset 8:06 PM, end 9:15 PM, Tuesday, April 23, 2024
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 Pink, Moon Paddle 2024-04-23, Sunset, Moonrise, Bats, and Blooming Lilies]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-04-23--banks-lake-full-pink-moon-paddle/fbmany.jpg)
Banks Lake Full Pink, Moon Paddle 2024-04-23, Sunset, Moonrise, Bats, and Blooming Lilies
Chuck Roberts drew the winning ticket yesterday for the Eddyline Sandpiper kayak, paddle, PFD, lock, and straps.
This one is slightly used. New, a 12-foot Eddyline kayak lists for $1,749.00.
Since there were only 30 $100 raffle tickets, each ticket had a 1 in 30 chance of winning.
![[Drawing the winner, Eddyline Kayak Raffle, Troupville Boat Ramp, Little River 2024-04-03]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-04-03--eddyline-kayak-raffle-drawing-video/fbmany.jpg)
Drawing the winner, Eddyline Kayak Raffle, Troupville Boat Ramp, Little River 2024-04-03
Gretchen Quarterman fired up the zoom from her desk.
Here’s the zoom video: https://youtu.be/VXzBV0jhd2Y
At Troupville Boat Ramp on the Little River,
Chuck Roberts first talked about the
WWALS River Revue sit-down fundraising dinner,
Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta.
Chuck is the M.C.
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2024/
The Revue includes the seventh annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.
Song submissions are open now:
https://wwals.net/?p=64497
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman talked about upcoming outings.
https://wwals.net/outings
Including, coming up next Saturday, Continue reading
Update 2024-05-17: Cancelled due to predicted thunderstorms; to be be rescheduled later.
Join us on an 11.4-mile paddle on the Suwannee River from Turner Bridge to Cone Bridge.
Both ramps are down dirt roads that are usually well maintained. There could be one small section of shoals to paddle over if the river is low but this paddle is appropriate for all levels. Everyone must wear a PFD while on the river. We’ll probably stop along Prospect Church at Hunter Creek for a lunch break.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10:15 AM, end 3:30 PM, Saturday, May 18, 2024
Put In:
Turner Bridge Ramp.
From White Springs, travel north on SE CR 135; cross over SE CR 6 onto NE 180 Boulevard (Woodpecker Route); travel north to NE 38 Trail; turn right and follow road to ramp, in Hamilton County.
Note the antique
lally columns, which are pillars for a former bridge,
made of steel columns filled with concrete.
![[Turner Bridge Ramp to, Cone Bridge Road Ramp, Suwannee River, 11.4 miles, 2024-05-18]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-05-18--turner-bridge-cone-bridge-suwannee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Turner Bridge Ramp to, Cone Bridge Road Ramp, Suwannee River, 11.4 miles, 2024-05-18
Update 2024-03-22: Rescheduled because of weather prediction to Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Update 2024-03-19: Okefenokee webinar, resolutions, bills, Suwannee River paddle 2024-03-19.
This 14-mile paddle is not recommended for beginners due to high water level and currents.
Just outside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge we will launch from Griffis Fish Camp landing. The dirt road to the landing will probably be underwater so bring wheels if you have them to transport your kayak from the camp to the water.
The launch fee is $2.00 per boat, self-pay exact change, at the site. Everyone must wear a PFD at all times on the water. Have a bow line/rope for your kayak. It’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes, just in case.
There are only a few places we can stop for breaks and lunch and we’ll take advantage of those.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Sunday, March 24, 2024
Put In: Griffis Fish Camp Landing, 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, Georgia.
GPS: 30.7845, -82.446333
![[Suwannee River Wilderness Paddle, Griffis to Fargo, 2024-03-23]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-03-23--suwannee-river-griffis-fargo/many.jpg)
Suwannee River Wilderness Paddle, Griffis to Fargo, 2024-03-23
Thanks to the Atkinson County Commissioners for passing this resolution unanimously Thursday evening. We will get a signed copy soon.
Shirley Kokidko, who lives in Pearson, the county seat, said a few words. I gave the shortest speech ever, “We could speak for half an hour. But if the Okefenokee Swamp isn’t worth protecting, what is?”
As they voted, they said things such as, “this would affect our fishing.”
A Commissioner sought me out in the parking lot afterwards to remark, “This is our heritage, our way of life.”
After Berrien County, plus the city of Nashville, this is the second county on the Alapaha River to pass such a resolution.
It is the fifth sixth such resolution in Georgia state Senate District 8,
after Valdosta, Ware County and Waycross, Clinch, and Echols Counties.
Maybe Senator Russ Goodman will be interested in that.
Berrien County and the city of Nashville are in Continue reading
![[Cypress Creek South (CR 6) to Cone Bridge, 2019-05-04, Creeks, karst, and a deadfall on the Suwannee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-05-04--cypress-creek-cone-bridge-suwannee-river/fbmany.jpg)
![[Atkinson County Commission and Resolution for the Okefenokee Swamp against the Twin Pines Minerals Strip Mine]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-03-14--atkinson-county-okefenokee/many.jpg)