Tag Archives: WGF

FWS photographer with Suwannee Riverkeeper, WWALS jon boat and outboard @ Fargo Ramp 2024-04-25

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]
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 →

Suwannee Riverkeeper at Lowndes County Commission 2024-04-09

I thanked Lowndes County for their cooperation in the WWALS Chairman and Mayor’s Paddle, especially Public Works for grading the entrance road to Langdale Park on the Withlacoochee River.

[Suwannee Riverkeeper at Lowndes County Commission 2024-04-09, Chairman and Mayor's Paddle, Sugar Creek and Chainsaw Cleanups]
Suwannee Riverkeeper at Lowndes County Commission 2024-04-09, Chairman and Mayor’s Paddle, Sugar Creek and Chainsaw Cleanups

This was in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard in the April 9, 2024, Regular Session of the Lowndes County Commission.

Earlier when I was talking to the Chairman he indicated the early takeout at Sugar Creek was a bit difficult due to a deadfall. So I mentioned that once the water gets low enough, we’ll work on that and other deadfalls, but meanwhile our chainsaws don’t work well underwater. I requested suggestions for when in March 2025 to hold the next one. I said WWALS has recently acquired a jon boat and outboard, and we’d be happy to take people out on the river, including Commissioners. Continue reading →

Trying the 25hp outboard from Troupville Boat Ramp, Little and Withlacoochee Rivers 2024-04-07

Shawn O’Connor and I tried out the 25hp Mercury outboard motor, paid for by a generous grant by Wild Green Future (WGF).

Works great! Electric start: push the button and it starts. Doesn’t even have a manual choke. Electric trim, i.e., tilt. Very useful for adjusting trim for going fast, as well as raising up in low water.

We also chainsawed some limbs that were obstructing passage downstream on the Withlacoochee River and upstream on the Little River. Shawn used my EGO 16″ electric chainsaw, but in case of larger limbs we had with us the 24″ Husqvarna chainsaw paid for by WGF. Also just in case, the 86lb thrust trolling motor and lithium batteries paid for by WGF. Thanks, WGF!

And thanks to Flint Riverkeeper for the jon boat.

Come hear more about chainsaw cleanups at noon today in the WWALS Webinar by Phil Hubbard.

[Trying 25hp outboard, Troupville Boat Ramp, Little and Withlacoochee Rivers, Chainsaw Outing 2024-04-07]
Trying 25hp outboard, Troupville Boat Ramp, Little and Withlacoochee Rivers, Chainsaw Outing 2024-04-07

Fast: Shawn’s GPS speedometer clocked it at 23 mph going upriver, against a 3-5 mph current. Not clear when we need to go that fast, but we can if we have to. Continue reading →

Pictures: Chainsaw Cleanup, Sugar Creek, Withlacoochee River 2024-02-28

Yesterday, Phil Hubbard and I cleared the last deadfall before Saturday’s Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle.

[Sunset chainsaw, Sugar Creek, Withlacoochee River 2024-02-28]
Sunset chainsaw, Sugar Creek, Withlacoochee River 2024-02-28

We think even Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson can paddle up Sugar Creek now.

Phil made the last cut using the Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch chainsaw paid for by Wild Green Future (WGF). The same WGF grant paid for the trolling motor and batteries we used with the WWALS Bass Fisher boat.

Here is WWALS video:
https://youtu.be/IV0T6ZMJLCI?si=4jTFODzAIdWxVx31 Continue reading →