We put in at Troupville Boat Ramp and chainsawed a few big deadfalls and some small ones up past Sugar Creek.
Thanks to Phil Hubbard for leading this expedition and doing most of the chainsawing.
Thanks to Daniel Reinlieb for riding along, sawing, bailing, and picking up trash.
Here are some video snippets:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/959705457046263/
We started at Sasser Landing on the Alapaha River and paddled up the Alapahoochee River, chainsawing passage through several deadfalls, 0.86 river miles up to Devil Shoal, on this May 30, 2026, WWALS river outing.
There was no way to even walk up past Devil Shoal anymore, after Hurricane Helene and numerous other storms. So we turned back, also to get ahead of the predicted thunderstorm.
Of course we stopped at Turket Creek Waterfall, where some dipped in the river and others hiked up the bank.
As we neared Sasser Landing again, our expedition leader Kyle “Bird” Chamberlain summed it up, “We did as much as we could, as long as we could.”
We’ll be back at a later date, to start higher up the Alapahoochee, when the water level gets appropriate again.
Here are some video snippets:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2099033114344650/
Update 2026-06-06: OK, we’re putting in at Troupville Boat Ramp and motoring upstream. You are welcome to join us. Will be easiest if you have a motor.
Join us to continue clearing passage on the Withlacoochee River for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats, leaving plenty of wildlife habitat.
You can come photograph, pull limbs out of the way, pick up trash, or just paddle along. Or chainsaw, if you have one and you really know how to use it.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 4 PM, Sunday, June 7, 2026
Put In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602. I-75 exit 18, 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, in Lowndes County.
Continue readingUpdate 2026-06-17: Pictures: Alapahoochee River Cleanup 2026-05-30.
Update 2026-05-28: Changed put-in to Sasser Landing and start time to 10 AM.
Join us for a river cleanup including many deadfalls (we will have chainsaws), some interesting creeks, an old steel bridge, some rapids, and Turket Creek Waterfall.
There are too many deadfalls to get them all, so we’re going to start at Sasser Landing on the Alapaha River and paddle up the Alapahoochee River. When we decide we’re done we can float downstream with the current. Plus, no shuttle.
If the water remains really low, be sure to have a rope on the front of your boat for dragging it across sandbars and shoals.
When: Gather 10 AM, launch 10:30 AM, end 5 PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026
Put In: Sasser Landing. Left bank, east of river, north of CR 150. From Jennings, Hamilton County, FL, travel east on CR 150; cross the Alapaha River; turn left onto NW 72 Court and follow to the Alapaha River in Hamilton County.
![[Alapahoochee River Cleanup, Deadfalls and Rapids 2026-05-30, Devil Shoal, Turket Creek WaterFall]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-05-30--alapahoochee-river-cleanup/many.jpg)
Alapahoochee River Cleanup, Deadfalls and Rapids 2026-05-30, Devil Shoal, Turket Creek WaterFall
This is part 2 of the Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup of Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Part 1 was downstream.
Here we go upstream, with Brianna Schawalder of Trails4Valdosta in her canoe, helping pull limbs aside and photographing, and Russell Hassenstab of Kona Ice paddling the Suwannee Riverkeeper Old Town Canoe, while Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman chainsaws.
Here are some video snippets.
Thanks to Continue reading
Update 2026-04-26: Pictures: Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Upstream, Withlacoochee River 2026-03-29.
Brianna Schawalder of Trails4Valdosta and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman did some sawing from the Suwannee Riverkeeper Old Town Canoe, but most of the work downstream from Langdale Park Boat Ramp on the Withlacoochee River was done by Austin Roark and his equipment and crew from Roark’s Land Clearing and Restoration.
They removed the snaggly tree just downstream from the boat ramp that was making fishing and paddling difficult. And a tree a bit farther down that stuck so far across it was eroding the right bank.
Cindy Vedas come to staff a WWALS table at the boat ramp.
Phil Hubbard couldn’t come because he had the flu.
Here are a few video snippets:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/931293323150513/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXjp9PFCLct/
After we went upstream and back (stay tuned for that report), whole families were fishing where those trees had been.
So that looks like success.
Thanks to all, and to Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for their cooperation.
Continue readingUpdate 2026-04-26: Pictures: Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Upstream, Withlacoochee River 2026-03-29.
Update 2026-04-25: Pictures: Downstream chainsawing, Langdale Park Boat Ramp 2026-03-29.
Update 2026-03-23: WWALS Chainsaw Cleanups clear passage, leaving habitat 2026-03-23.
With Brianna Schawalder of Trails4Valdosta, meet at Langdale Park Boat Ramp @ 9 AM. We will remove deadfalls and debris to permit passage as far upstream on the Withlacoochee River as we are able within an approximate 6 hour time frame. Volunteers do not have to use a chainsaw if not experienced. Help with debris and trash removal as well as photos and videos assistance are always welcome. Bring your kayak and join this adventure.
You do not have to boat. You can walk along the left (east) bank of the river in Langdale Park. As Brianna Schawalder says, let’s make 2026 the Year of Outdoor Recreation in Lowndes County.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 4 PM, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Put In: Langdale Park Boat Ramp, 3781 N. Valdosta Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602, on Hyta Mederer Drive.
GPS: 30.88747, -83.32395
![[Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, with Trails4Valdosta]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-29--langdale-park-chainsaw-cleanup-withlacoochee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Langdale Park Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, with Trails4Valdosta
Thanks to Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for support for all this. Continue reading
We continued chainsawing downstream on the Withlacoochee River, starting at the train trestle.
Phil Hubbard and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman cut passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls. We got through a bunch of deadfalls, past the other train trestle beside the river, before paddling back up.
Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson came to see us off, wearing a tie, on his way to a day of funerals.
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream, 2026-02-21]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-28--chainsaw-cleanup-withlacoochee-river-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream, 2026-02-21
Here is some video:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1458995909184651/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZGwxMiPky/
We are preparing for the Mayor andd Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, Saturday, March 7, 2026.
We used several of our own chainsaws, and the Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch chainsaw bought with a generous grant to WWALS from Wild Green Future.
We will continue chainsaw cleanups later.
There are many pictures below.
For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. Continue reading
Update 2026-03-02: Two weeks later, Videos: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek downstream 2026-02-28.
We went only 0.28 Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River miles, but we sawed plenty of passage through deadfalls, moved much debris, and picked up a bunch of trash.
Here are some video clips:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2360050534421356/
We were chainsawing passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls, especially from Hurricane Helene.
Phil Hubbard, leader of this expedition, remarked: “I felt we had a very productive day. With the low water we were able to clear obstructions that had existed but inaccessible for a very long time.”
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Sugar Creek to Withlacoochee River, Short distance but much accomplished]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-14--chainsaw-cleanup-sugar-creek-to-troupville-withlacoochee-river-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Chainsaw Cleanup, Sugar Creek to Withlacoochee River, Short distance but much accomplished
We are preparing for the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, if the river level rises enough to avoid rescheduling.
We took a WWALS canoe with the 24-inch Husqvarna Rancher chainsaw and the 86 lb thrust trolling motor paid for by a grant from Wild Green Future, plus other saws, electric and gas. Phil Hubbard and I used the canoe. David Savage and Tish Hall each brought their own kayak. We spent more time walking than paddling.
Phil Hubbard recently Continue reading
Update 2026-02-16: Pictures: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville 2026-02-14.
Join us as we chainsaw passage for kayaks, canoes, and jon boats through hurricane deadfalls.
You do not have to use a saw: you can pull sawed limbs aside, collect trash, photograph, or just paddle along.
The river is very low. This is convenient for sawing through dead trees while standing on the river bottom. But beware there will be much dragging of boats.
We are preparing for the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, if the river level rises enough to avoid rescheduling.
When: Gather 11 AM, launch 12 PM, end 5 PM, Saturday, February 14, 2026
Put In: Gather at the bottom of the Salty Snapper parking lot, 1405 Gornto Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602-2232.
We’ll put in on Sugar Creek if there’s enough water,
otherwise on the Withlacoochee River under the railroad trestle.
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville, 9 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2026]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-02-14--chainsaw-cleanup-sugar-creek-to-troupville-withlacoochee-river/fbmany.jpg)
Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek to Troupville, 9 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2026
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Up past Sugar Creek 2026-06-07, From Troupville Boat Ramp, And back again]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-06-07--withlacoochee-river-chainsaw-cleanup-pictures/many.jpg)
![[Pictures: Alapahoochee River Cleanup, Turket Creek Waterfall, Passage Chainsawed from Sasser Landing up to Devil Shoal 2026-05-30]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-05-30--alapahoochee-river-cleanup-pictures/many.jpg)
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2026-06-07, Langdale Park, Sugar Creek, or Troupville, per water level]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-06-07--withlacoochee-river-chainsaw-cleanup/fbmany.jpg)
![[Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River, Upstream from Langdale Park BR, Towards US 41 Bridge, Sunday, March 29, 2026]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-29--langdale-park-chainsaw-pictures/many.jpg)
![[Pictures: Downstream chainsawing, Langdale Park Boat Ramp 2026-03-29, Roark Land Clearing and Restoration, Trail4Valdosta, WWALS]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-03-29--langdale-park-chainsaw-pictures-downstream/many.jpg)