If it seems smoky, that may be because there’s a wildfire nearby, in the current extreme drought.
![[Wildfire map, --watchduty.org 2026-04-20, Suwannee River Basin, Numerous wildfires]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-04-20--watchduty-fire-map/many.jpg)
Wildfire map, –watchduty.org 2026-04-20, Suwannee River Basin, Numerous wildfires
For wildfires at a glance, see https://app.watchduty.org/, which appears to draw its data from state forestry services. Continue reading
Looks like you could paddle through the Suwannee River Sill, but it’s not clear how far you would get through the Narrows below Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp before you got to the Sill.
![[Low water, first gate, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp, Thursday, November 20, 2025]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-11-20--suwannee-sill-gate-1/fbmany.jpg)
Low water, first gate, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee Swamp, Thursday, November 20, 2025
Yesterday Shirley Kokidko checked on water levels in the Suwannee River in the Okefenokee Swamp. She says there is enough water to paddle to Billys Island or Minnies Lake.
Until we get some rain to break this drought, paddling from SCFSP to Griffis Fish Camp will be doubtful.
Here is a video Shirley sent from the First Gate at the Suwannee River Sill, the 4.5-mile-long earthen dam that was supposed to keep water levels up in the Okefenokee Swamp to prevent fires, but did not work.
https://www.facebook.com/Wwalswatershed/videos/854041060433085