These figures tell the story of springsheds in a coastal lowland karst plain such as much of the Suwannee River Basin. Maybe you already know all this, but if you don’t, these pictures may help make sense of Springsheds and Water Withdrawal Permits in the Suwannee River Basin.
A spring is fed from a ground-water basin.
This figure for Florida water withdrawal permits in the Suwannee River springsheds shows by far the largest blue dots for the biggest withdrawal permits in Hamilton County at the location of the PCS Phosphate mine.
Thanks to Continue reading
Is this what you want Bradford, Union, and other counties in Florida to look like?
I wonder what effect this phosphate mine had on the much lowered water level of White Springs, or the Suwannee River?
The PCS Phosphate mine in Hamilton County near White Springs and Jasper spread under our Southwings plane while surveying the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline 22 October 2016. On board were Southwings pilot Roy Zimmer, photographer Dominick Gheesling, Jim Tatum of Our Santa Fe River, and John S. Quarterman of WWALS. Here are pictures by Jim Tatum, a few videos by John S. Quarterman, and a Google map showing the locations. Continue reading
Following up on Cody Suggs’ pictures of pipeline dug up at Pilgrim’s Pride, I found a flock of glow-shirts inspecting a fancy new pipeline sign. Remember, where Sabal Trail goes through Pilgrim’s Pride property is right next to at least two large sinkholes and on top of the world-famous miles-long Falmouth Cathedral Cave System that feeds the Floridan Aquifer from which we all drink. They were also across US 90 and the railroad, and then at the Suwannee River HDD site in Suwannee County, Florida. Here are many pictures, a video playlist, and a Google Map.
Update 2017-04-18: Yes, WWALS will be at Wanee Wednesday afternoon April 19th for Remembering Butch Trucks, and all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well. Look for the WWALS or Suwannee Riverkeeper banners.
The music festival that started them all, and still one of the biggest: Wanee outside in the spring near the Suwannee River. Come talk to Suwannee Riverkeeper about how you can paddle with us and help advocate for the rivers and the aquifer.
That picture is from a previous festival. We’ll be in a different location at the park, meeting more than 10,000 of our closest friends.
When:
April 20-April 22, 2017
Where:
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park
3076 95th Dr, Live Oak, Florida 32060
Event: facebook
What: Wanee, featuring Bob Weir, Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Gov’t Mule, Dark Star Orchestra, Dr. John & the Nite Trippers, Trey Anastasio Band, and more.
If you want to help at the WWALS table, send email to wwalswatershed@gmail.com or call 229-242-0102.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
Tom and Beatriz at the booth. Last day today! Suwannee River Roots Reunion at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
Below Grand Hall at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.
This was after sunset at Suwannee Spring Reunion yesterday. We’ll be there today (Friday) and Saturday, too: come on down!
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
At Spirit of Suwannee Music Park
We’ll be here Friday and Saturday, too. Details here.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
Continuing after the recent public meetings,
WWALS and others talked about coal ash at the
Valdosta City Council March 9th,
with
a puzzling response from the Mayor,
and at the
Lowndes County Commission March 14th,
with
an interruption by the Chairman
and no other response.
Both city and county
have had the same members on the board of the
Deep South Solid Waste Management Authority (WMA) since 2005,
so presumably they have more control than they want to admit
over the local privatized landfill with its coal ash, PCBs,
and Superfund wastewater.
Remember, that landfill is a quarter mile uphill from the Withlacoochee River and in a Floridan Aquifer recharge zone.
WWALS Executive Directory Gretchen Quarterman spoke at both meetings. WWALS member Bill Worstell spoke at the Valdosta City Council meeting, as did J.D. Rice. (Meanwhile, Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman and one other spoke to the Valdosta City Council about sewage.)
Here are LAKE videos of each speaker, with a few notes, followed by a video playlist. Continue reading
Update 2017-05-17: OK, the water’s gotten too low at the original location, so we’re moving downstream to Woods Ferry Tract Launch to Suwannee Springs.
Update 2017-05-15: The water’s low, but so far it’s a go, plus it’s Hands across the Sands on the Suwannee against the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline and for solar power.
Update 2017-04-06: SRWMD tells us Blue Sink Launch is closed, so we’ll be taking out nearby at Swift Creek Launch.
Join WWALS for a brief paddle 8 miles on the Suwannee River through White Springs down to Blue Sink Swift Creek Launch.
This shouldn’t take more than 4 hours paddling or 5 hours including shuttle.
With lunch, swim stops, and bon-bons, of course.
Bring the usual personal flotation device, boat paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. If you don’t have a boat, there are many outfitters, or let us know and many of us have spare boats.
When: 9AM Saturday 20 May 2017
Put In: Suwannee River Wayside Park Ramp, river mile 171.0
From White Springs, travel south on US 41 to the river; the
ramp is on the south side in the town park.
This map drawn using landing directions from the
Suwannee River Wilderness Trail map of
Boat Ramps & Canoe Launches
and SRWMD’s Blue Sink, Rocky Creek, Swift Creek.
Duration: 5 hours
Free: This outing is Free! And we recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
Shuttle Distance: Continue reading