Update 2022-01-28: Clean Rivers 2022-01-27.

I’d avoid the Withlacoochee River this weekend.

Bad E. coli levels upstream seen by Valdosta earlier in the week were still seen by WWALS upstream and down in Thursday samples. A too-high result at Hagan Bridge is heading downstream through Lowndes and Brooks Counties, Georgia. A too-high result at Knights Ferry is heading downstream to Florida.

The good news is no sewage spills have been reported this week. But it’s been raining yesterday and today, most likely washing more cattle and other manure into the river, down Okapilco Creek and from elsewhere.

If you want to paddle this weekend, I’d recommend the Alapaha River or upstream on the Suwannee River.

Chart, River, Plates, Swim Guide

Valdosta’s downstream results for Monday and upstream for Wednesday were even worse than what WWALS got for Thursday. We don’t know about upstream Monday because Valdosta took a vacation. We don’t know about downstream Wednesday because Valdosta’s downstream contractor apparently hasn’t phoned home yet.

Bad Withlacoochee River, Charts 2022-01-20.
For context and the entire WWALS spreadsheet of water quality data, rainfall, and sewage spills, see
https://wwals.net/issues/testing

But WWALS tester Gus Cleary got pretty good results downstream of Allen Ramp for Wednesday.

Cleary Bluff, Withlacoochee River @ NE Withla Bluffs Way 2022-01-19

Thanks to Joe Brownlee and Georgia Power for a generous grant for water quality testing equipment and materials.

You or your organization could also donate to the WWALS volunteer water quality testing program.

Plates, Cleary Bluff 2022-01-19

Folsom Bridge Landing

Back upstream for Thursday, WWALS tester Elizabeth Brunner got OK results for Folsom Bridge on the Little River at GA 122.

Folsom Bridge Landing, Little River @ GA 122 2022-01-20

Plates, Folsom Bridge Landing 2022-01-20

Lakeland Boat Ramp

And Elizabeth got good results for Lakeland Boat Ramp on the Alapaha River at GA 122.

Lakeland Boat Ramp, Alapaha River @ GA 122 2022-01-20

Plates, Lakeland Boat Ramp 2022-01-20

Hagan Bridge Landing

But Elizabeth’s results for Hagan Bridge Landing on the Withlacoochee River at GA 122 were too high.

Hagan Bridge Landing, Withlacoochee River @ GA 122 2022-01-20

Plates, Hagan Bridge Landing 2022-01-20

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp

Michael and Jacob Bachrach got too-high results at Knights Ferry Boat Ramp on the Withlacoochee River for Thursday.

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp, Withlacoochee River 2022-01-20

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp Sign, Withlacoochee River 2022-01-20

Knights Ferry Boat Ramp Water Level, Withlacoochee River 2022-01-20

Plates, Knights Ferry Boat Ramp 2022-01-20

Nankin Boat Ramp

The Bachrach’s results for Nankin Boat Ramp were OK, but that contamination from Knights Ferry has probably passed there by now, more than a day later.

Nankin Boat Ramp, Withlacoochee River @ Clyattville-Nankin Road 2022-01-20

Nankin Boat Ramp Sign, Withlacoochee River @ Clyattville-Nankin Road 2022-01-20

Plates, Nankin Boat Ramp 2022-01-20

State Line Boat Ramp

And the Bachrach’s results at State Line Boat Ramp were OK for Thursday, but by now that upstream contamination has probably reached there and is heading into Florida.

State Line Boat Ramp, Withlacoochee River @ GA 133 2022-01-20

State Line Boat Ramp Sign, Withlacoochee River @ GA 133 2022-01-20

State Line Boat Ramp, Withlacoochee River @ GA 133 2022-01-20

Plates, State Line Boat Ramp 2022-01-20

Cleary Bluff

Gus Cleary’s results for Wednesday were clean, but soon that E. coli will pass by there.

Cleary Bluff, Withlacoochee River @ NE Withla Bluffs Way 2022-01-19

Plates, Cleary Bluff 2022-01-19

Swim Guide

I’ve marked quite a bit of red on Swim Guide. Remember, it’s moving downstream.

Bad Withlacoochee River, Swim Guide 2022-01-20

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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