Tag Archives: Suwannee River

Paddle Big Shoals to Suwannee Wayside Park, Suwannee River 2026-08-01

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Join WWALS for a 6 mile paddle from Big Shoals State Park to Suwannee Wayside Park in White Springs.

This paddle may not be appropriate for beginners due to the bumpy stretch of low, Little Shoals to navigate through. Be prepared to portage your kayak 400 feet around Big Shoals. If you have light wheels for your kayak, they will be handy for the portage. Wear shoes appropriate for slippery rocks.

Along the way are the remains of Old Godwin Bridge, the outflow of Bell Springs, a second magnitude spring in Columbia County, and Falling Creek, plus some other creeks.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 2 PM, Saturday, August 1, 2026

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

[Paddle Big Shoals to Suwannee Wayside Park, Suwannee River, Saturday, August 1, 2026]
Paddle Big Shoals to Suwannee Wayside Park, Suwannee River, Saturday, August 1, 2026

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Datacenter Moratorium Proposed –Madison County BOCC 2026-07-08

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Update 2026-07-23: Madison County BOCC passed the datacenter moratorium 4:0.

Update 2026-07-18: fixed name of county in title.

On July 22, 2026, a datacenter moratorium comes up for second reading at the Madison County, Florida, Board of County Commissioners, when they can also vote to pass it.

They already read it once on July 8, after working on it for some time before that.

[Datacenter Moratorium Proposed, Hamilton County BOCC, First Reading 2026-07-08, Second Reading & Vote 2026-07-22]
Datacenter Moratorium Proposed, Hamilton County BOCC, First Reading 2026-07-08, Second Reading & Vote 2026-07-22

The agenda and board packet for their Regular Meeting, July 8, 2026, contains a public notice, a recently-passed state datacenter law with highlights on parts applicable to local ordinances, a Business Impact Estimate for the proposed ordinance, a redline version of the ordinance showing changes since its previous draft, and the nine-page datacenter moratorium ordinance itself.

Every county should be as diligent and transparent, no matter in which state.

The east border of Madison County is the Withlacoochee River downstream from Georgia and upstream from the Suwannee River, with first-magnitue Madison Blue Spring in between. Madison County, like all counties in the Suwannee River Basin, is on top of the Floridan Aquifer from which we all drink for every purpose.

The ordinance does not explicitly name any of the rivers or springs or the aquifer, but it does include these sections, which are relevant. Continue reading →

Drought reveals two new springs on the Suwannee River –SRWMD 2026-07-01

The spring I’ve used to illustrate this story is somewhat upstream of Suwannee Springs. It is called Ham1019971, and is a fourth magnitude sulphur spring seen on a WWALS paddle, May 20, 2017. It is not the newly-discovered Ule Spring mentioned in the press release.

Also, Byron Herder, who owns the first-magnitude spring Alapaha River Rise, remarked on facebook, “I found a first magnitude spring on Suwannee during the drought. Bringing state total to 34.”

Speaking of drought, this Tuesday SRWMD will approve a Further modified Phase II Water Shortage Ordinance @ SRWMD 2026-07-14. Nevermind St. Johns River WMD and Southwest Florida WMD went to Phase III months ago.

[Drought reveals two new springs on the Suwannee River --SRWMD 2026-07-01]
Drought reveals two new springs on the Suwannee River –SRWMD 2026-07-01

PR, SRWMD, July 1, 2026, Drought conditions reveal new springs along the Suwannee River; see also WCTV,

LIVE OAK, FLA., JULY 1, 2026 — While ongoing drought conditions have reduced river flows across the region, unusually low water levels have also provided a unique opportunity for Suwannee River Water Management District (District) staff to locate and document several previously unknown springs.

Continue reading →

Further modified Phase II Water Shortage Ordinance @ SRWMD 2026-07-14

Be at their Live Oak HQ by 9 AM for 4. Public Comment, because it’s very early in the agenda for the July 14, 2026, Governing Board Meeting of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD).

You can talk about anything you like, including the undead Water First North Florida (WFNF) plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee Basin. See https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf

If you can’t go, you can watch it live on YouTube:

https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1759

Three other agenda items are of interest:

7.A. Hydrologic Conditions Report

10. Water Resources Division Updates

11. Public Hearing for Approval of Order Number 26-004, Modified Phase II Water Shortage

[Packet: Further modified Phase II Water Shortage Order, Hydrologic Conditions Report @ SRWMD 2026-07-14]
Packet: Further modified Phase II Water Shortage Order, Hydrologic Conditions Report @ SRWMD 2026-07-14

Wait, didn’t they already approve a Modified Phase II back in April?

Yes, but that one is expiring, so they’re going to extend it through December 31, 2026.

Nevermind St. Johns River WMD and Southwest Florida WMD went to Phase III months ago.

SRWMD is slightly modifying the previous Modified Phase II. Looks like they could have used an editor.

They added this, “5. Add language on micro irrigation since we call it out in the press release.”

Under: Continue reading →

Some history and data on the Suwannee River near Gibson Park –Byron Herder 2026-06-25

Byron Herder, who owns the Alapaha River Rise, just upstream from the Alapaha River on the Suwannee River, sent this:

I don’t think I can make it Saturday. Here is some history and data on the area of put in near Gibson. Was the capitol of Florida for thousands of years before Spanish contact. Largest pyramids in Florida. Was site of San Ugustin de Urihica for Spanish missionaries. First large battle in what is now US history called Napituca.

What’s happening Saturday is Gibson County Park to SRSP Paddle, Suwannee River 2026-06-27.

https://wwals.net/?p=70541

[Some history and data on the Suwannee River near Gibson Park --Byron Herder 2026-06-25]
Some history and data on the Suwannee River near Gibson Park –Byron Herder 2026-06-25

Here are the images Byron sent, with sources for those that I could find. Continue reading →

Gibson County Park to SRSP Paddle, Suwannee River, 2026-06-27

Join us for an eight-mile paddle on the beautiful Suwannee River with a short detour upstream to the Alapaha River Rise, where that river reemerges after traveling underground for 10 miles. We will paddle by the confluence of the the Alapaha River, as well as several springs along the way to Suwannee River State Park (SRSP).

Gibson County Park entry is free but there is a $5 fee for the State Park, fees are collected via online payment or QR code. Check SRSP’s webpage if you need more information.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 2:30 PM, Saturday, June 27, 2026

Put In: Gibson County Park, 6844 SW CR 751, Jasper, FL 32052. Right bank, west side of the river. From Jasper, Hamilton County, FL, travel southwest on Right bank. SW CR 249 to SW CR 751; turn left and boat ramp is on the right in Gibson Park, in Hamilton County.

GPS: 30.437637, -83.094031

[Gibson County Park to SRSP, Suwannee River 2026-06-27, Alapaha River Rise, Suwannee River State Park]
Gibson County Park to SRSP, Suwannee River 2026-06-27, Alapaha River Rise, Suwannee River State Park

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SRWMD Governing Board Meeting 2026-06-09

There’s nothing on the SRWMD agenda Tuesday about Water First North Florida (WFNF), the plan to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin.

But you can speak in item “4. Public Comment” about most anything. Don’t be late: it’s very near the start of the meeting.

That’s 9 AM, Tuesday, June 9, 2026,
at SRWMD HQ, 9225 Co Rd 49, Live Oak, FL 32060.

You can watch remotely on SRWMD’s YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@SRWMD

[SRWMD Governing Board Meeting, 4. Public Comment, 9 AM, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, SRWMD HQ, 9225 Co Rd 49, Live Oak, FL]
SRWMD Governing Board Meeting, 4. Public Comment, 9 AM, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, SRWMD HQ, 9225 Co Rd 49, Live Oak, FL

Elsewhere on the agenda there are:

https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=1753

  • 5. Consent Agenda Item No. 22 – Task Work Assignment with Water & Air Research, Inc (see below)
  • 7.A. Hydrologic Conditions Report
  • 21. Water Resources Division Updates
  • Workshop Following Board Meeting: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Tentative Budget Presentation

Plus some details about surplus lands as well as work at various parks.

Last month twelve people spoke about WFNF, but the Minutes record them each only as Water First North Florida concerns. You can see them in SRWMD’s own video. They were: Continue reading →

SWFWMD approved ERP for Suncoast Parkway 2 Eastern Borrow Site 2026-05-22

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has approved an Environmental Resource Permit modification for a borrow pit for use in constructing the Suncoast Parkway 2 toll road extension.

That move brings the toll road ever closer to extending up US 19 across the Suwannee River and other sensitive wetlands all the way to the GA-FL line towards Thomasville, Georgia.

[SWFWMD approved ERP, for Suncoast Parkway 2, Eastern Borrow Site, owned by FDEP 2026-05-22]
SWFWMD approved ERP, for Suncoast Parkway 2, Eastern Borrow Site, owned by FDEP 2026-05-22

This site is not in the Suwannee River Basin. It is in the watershed of Citrus County’s Crystal River. But building any part of that toll road accellerates the likelihood of the same road heading north into the Suwannee Basin.

Hurricane evacuation is the usual excuse for this toll road, but solar panels and batteries for houses and businesses would cost less and would mean many people would not have to evacuate and would not be without power for weeks as happens now after every hurricane.

You may recall that this is the same sand mine that Southworth sold to the state of Florida after Continue reading →

Hydrologic Conditions Report –SRWMD 2026-04-30

In case you thought recent rains had solved the drought, think again.

This is the April 30, 3026 Hydrologic Conditions Report that was presented at the May Governing Board meeting of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD).

[Hydrologic Conditions Report --SRWMD 2026-04-30, Still in drought, Need much more rain]
Hydrologic Conditions Report –SRWMD 2026-04-30, Still in drought, Need much more rain

https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/DocumentCenter/View/19656/04-April-26-Hydro-Reportk

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MEMORANDUM

TO: Governing Board

FROM: Robbie McKinney, Hydrologic Program Manager, Office of Water Resources

THRU: Hugh Thomas, Executive Director

DATE: April 30, 2026

RE: April 2026 Hydrologic Conditions Report

RAINFALL

  • Districtwide average rainfall for the month was 0.88”, which was about 74 percent lower than the 1932-2025 average of 3.38” (Table 1, Figure 1). The 12-month period ending April 30 reflected a Districtwide rainfall deficit of 20.22”, which was an increase to the 19.98” deficit seen at the end of March. District counties ranged from just over 0.5” to 1.4” of rainfall on average, with parts of Taylor, Suwannee, Columbia, Hamilton, Union, Gilchrist, and Dixie counties receiving more than 2.5 inches of rainfall (Figure 2).
  • Overall, a 12-month rainfall deficit was present in all river basins, with the Aucilla and Coastal basins increasing in deficit by the end of April (Figure 3). A small area in the southern Waccasassa Basin showed a deficit of less than 8 inches. Portions with deficits greater than 29” were also observed in the Aucilla, Santa Fe, and Suwannee basins. Each river basin increased its 3-month rainfall deficit by the end of April (Figure 4). No surpluses were seen over the past 3 months, and each river basin had areas measuring anywhere from less than 6” to more than 9” of deficit. Sections with greater than 9” of rainfall deficit can be seen in all 5 of the basins.

SURFACE WATER

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Florida Homestead Property Tax Exemption: for-pay parks and boat ramps? @ Gilchrist County Workshop 2026-04-20

A Florida bill could force Florida county parks and boat ramps to be pay for use, and could eliminate 4-H, agricultural extension services, libraries, and even county veteran services.

If passed, HJR 203 would eliminate all property taxes on homestead property except school taxes.

It failed in the Florida Senate, but it will be heard again in a July 2026, legislative special session.

If it passes the legislature, the people will get to vote on this constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

[Florida Homestead Property Tax Exemption: for-pay parks and boat ramps? @ Gilchrist County Workshop, Monday, April 20, 2026]
Florida Homestead Property Tax Exemption: for-pay parks and boat ramps? @ Gilchrist County Workshop, Monday, April 20, 2026

Gilchrist County held a workshop about this on April 20, 2026. Other counties would do well to do the same.

The origin of the word republic is the latin phrase Res publica, which means public thing. It is often translated as commonwealth. I understand people don’t like paying taxes, especially property taxes. But something is needed to fund public services. Florida already does not have income tax.

That leaves a gas tax, increasing millage on everybody else, or, as slide 28 suggests, “100% Fee based parks.” Which wouldn’t help libraries or 4-H.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer people, especially young people, being able to go to the library or to the river without paying, such as to Hart Springs, Otter Springs, or the FL 47 Ramp, aka Santa Fe River Gilchrist County Park Ramp. Otherwise, they will find other, perhaps more troublesome, ways to spend their time.

Oh, and your taxes would still be paying to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee Basin; see:

https://wwals.net/issues/wfnf Continue reading →