Tag Archives: Valdosta GA

Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream 2026-05-14

Update 2026-05-17: Withlacoochee filthy upstream; Santa Fe River clean 2026-05-14.

WWALS got bad results upstream on the Withlacoochee River for Wednesday and Thursday at Langdale Park and Staten Road, even though Valdosta Utilities got OK results for Monday downstream at GA 133 and US 84.

WWALS got clean results for Thursday in Florida on the Withlacoochee near the Suwannee.

That pattern looks like first flush, when a big rain washes the woods wildlife have been using as a latrine.

No new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida, but Tifton had one in Georgia; see below.

I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River upstream of the Little River Confluence.

And considering Colquitt and Brooks Counties, Georgia, got a lot of rain that could wash contamination into Okapilco Creek, I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River in Georgia.

So at your own risk, happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating, where-ever you can find enough water, and if you can avoid the rains predicted for Sunday.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream, 2026-05-14, After recent rains, Paddle at your own risk]
Dirty Withlacoochee River upstream, clean downstream, 2026-05-14, After recent rains, Paddle at your own risk

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06

Update 2026-05-10: Clean Alapaha River 2026-05-08.

Even after the rains last Saturday, Valdosta Utilities got a pretty good E. coli number for Monday at GA 133 (St. Augustine Road) on the Withlacoochee River, and a good result at US 84 that same day.

WWALS got an even better result downstream in Florida.

WWALS results for Sugar Creek for Sunday were also OK.

There was more rain yesterday, but less than last Saturday. Still no new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

As always, we can only advise with the results we have. Happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend, if you can find any water.

More rain is predicted Saturday through Monday.

If there is rain, maybe it will at least dampen some wildfires. Remember not to light anything outdoors.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06, after rains, more rain coming]
Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06, after rains, more rain coming

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Pretty clean Sugar Creek 2026-04-23 and Batterbee Branch and Withlacoochee River 2026-04-27

Update 2026-05-09: Clean Withlacoochee River and Sugar Creek 2026-05-06.

Valdosta Utilities got a pretty good E. coli number for Monday at GA 133 (St. Augustine Road) on the Withlacoochee River, and a good result at US 84 that same day. That’s much improved from previous weeks.

WWALS results for Sugar Creek last Thursday were also OK.

And a WWALS result for Batterbee Branch, in Ray City, Georgia, upstream from Cat Creek, was OK.

Still no significant rain, and still no new sewage spills have been reported this week in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia.

As always, we can only advise with the results we have. Happy paddling, swimming, fishing, and boating this weekend, if you can find any water.

Rain is predicted for this weekend, but it was predicted for yesterday, too, and didn’t happen.

If there is rain, maybe it will at least dampen some wildfires. Remember not to light anything outdoors.

This image is an illustration. Scroll down for the details.

[Pretty clean Sugar Creek 2026-04-23, and Batterbee Branch and Withlacoochee River 2026-04-27, No rain, no sewage spills]
Pretty clean Sugar Creek 2026-04-23, and Batterbee Branch and Withlacoochee River 2026-04-27, No rain, no sewage spills

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Valdosta Mandatory Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Take Effect April 15, 2026 2026-04-14

Good idea.

[Valdosta Mandatory Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Take Effect April 15, 2026, Published 2026-04-14]
Valdosta Mandatory Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Take Effect April 15, 2026, Published 2026-04-14

Mandatory Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Take Effect April 15 (published 2026-04-14)

The City of Valdosta is reminding residents and businesses that mandatory outdoor water use restrictions will take effect beginning April 15, 2026. These measures are being implemented in response to ongoing drought conditions, reduced rainfall, and increased water demand that have significantly impacted local water source levels.

In addition to local enforcement, the City will enforce provisions outlined in the Georgia Water Stewardship Act, which has been in effect statewide since June 2, 2010. Violations may result in fines or water service disconnection.

Watering Guidelines:

Continue reading →

Cleanup, One Mile Branch, Azalea Trail 2026-03-28

Join us for an on-land cleanup along One Mile Branch downstream from Valdosta State University, and Azalea City Trail, in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9 AM, end 11 AM, Saturday, March 28, 2026

Put In: Wainwright Drive between Baytree Drive and Brookhaven Drive, and maybe also downstream, in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.

GPS: 30.84287, -83.30113

[One Mile Branch, Azalea City Trail, Valdosta, GA, Cleanup 2026-03-28]
One Mile Branch, Azalea City Trail, Valdosta, GA, Cleanup 2026-03-28

Continue reading →

WWALS Booth at Azalea Festival 2026-03-14-15

Come help WWALS celebrate spring with 30,000 of our south Georgia and north Florida friends.

That’s in Drexel Park, Valdosta, Georgia, this Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, 2026.

The festival starts at 9 AM each day, and runs until 6 PM Saturday and 5 PM Sunday.

We’ll be at our usual location at the entrance on Slater and Brookwood.

GPS: 30.848576, -83.285556.

Drexel Park is on One Mile Branch, which runs into Sugar Creek, into the Withlacoochee River, on the WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

[WWALS Booth at Azalea Festival, Valdosta, GA, March 14-15, 2026]
WWALS Booth at Azalea Festival, Valdosta, GA, March 14-15, 2026

If you are a WWALS member, you can come help give out flyers and answer questions about outings and events, advocacy and education.

We’re on our own this year, because Continue reading →

Another Valdosta drinking water violation 2026-01-15

We received this notice from a concerned citizen.

It’s much like the one we posted back in 2015.

https://wwals.net/?p=15277

[Another Valdosta drinking water violation, Again HAA5, Minor, 2026-01-15]
Another Valdosta drinking water violation, Again HAA5, Minor, 2026-01-15

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
HAAS VIOLATION AT City of Valdosta Water System

Water System Name: City of Valdosta (GA 1850002) Continue reading →

Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Troupville to Spook Bridge, 2026-03-07

Back at the original date, because we got enough rain. And the old original route: Troupville Boat Ramp to Spook Bridge.

Suwannee Riverkeeper invites you to paddle with Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter on the idyllic Withlacoochee River.

Thanks to Joe Brownlee for a generous grant from Georgia Power, this outing is free for everyone.

[Mayor and Chairmans Paddle, Troupville to Spook Bridge, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, March 7, 2026]
Mayor and Chairmans Paddle, Troupville to Spook Bridge, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, March 7, 2026

When: Gather 8 AM, launch 9 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, March 7, 2026

Put In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602.
From I-75 exit 18, go west on GA 133 (St. Augustine Road) away from the Valdosta Mall; at the traffic light for Val Tech Road, turn left down to the boat ramp.
GPS: 30.851842, -83.346536 Continue reading →

Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River 2026-04-18

Update 2026-02-27: Rescheduled back to the original date: Mayor and Chairmans Paddle: Troupville to Spook Bridge 2026-03-07.

Rescheduled due to low water, to Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Suwannee Riverkeeper invites you to paddle on the idyllic Withlacoochee River with the Mayor of Valdosta and the Lowndes County Commission Chairman.

Mayor Scott James Matheson and Chairman Bill Slaughter always seem to enjoy this outing, and you will, too.

Under towering oaks, cypress, and longleaf pines, we will pass the most populous city and county in the Suwannee River Basin and the site of the future Troupville Nature Park and River Camp, on the WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

Thanks to Phil Hubbard for once again leading this paddle.

Thanks to Joe Brownlee for a generous grant from Georgia Power, this outing is free for everyone.

Thanks to Paul Batts and Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for agreeing to bring shuttle vans.

The city and county will probably also post their own announcements.

[Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, April 18, 2026]
Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, April 18, 2026

When: Gather 8 AM, launch 9 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, April 18, 2026

Put In: Langdale Park Boat Ramp or Troupville Boat Ramp
Which put in will depend on water levels and any remaining obstructions in the river.
WWALS will announce that decision in advance. Continue reading →

Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River 2026-03-07

Update 2026-02-23: Rescheduled due to low water, Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper 2026-04-18.

Suwannee Riverkeeper invites you to paddle on the idyllic Withlacoochee River with the Mayor of Valdosta and the Lowndes County Commission Chairman.

Mayor Scott James Matheson and Chairman Bill Slaughter always seem to enjoy this outing, and you will, too.

Under towering oaks, cypress, and longleaf pines, we will pass the most populous city and county in the Suwannee River Basin and the site of the future Troupville Nature Park and River Camp, on the WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

Thanks to Phil Hubbard for once again leading this paddle.

Thanks to Joe Brownlee for a generous grant from Georgia Power, this outing is free for everyone.

The city and county will probably also post their own announcements.

When: Gather 8 AM, launch 9 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, March 7, 2026

Put In: Langdale Park Boat Ramp or Troupville Boat Ramp
Which put in will depend on water levels and any remaining obstructions in the river.
WWALS will announce that decision in advance.

[Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, March 7, 2026]
Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Withlacoochee River, Saturday, March 7, 2026

Continue reading →