We even saw the Valdosta trash problem on the Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle. One paddler fell in picking up trash, and two more collected a huge bag of trash in a canoe. I think those two live in a different county.

Maybe you’d like to come say a few words tonight to the Valdosta City Council. 5:30 PM, City Hall, 216 E. Central Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601.

The WWALS trash boom at Sugar Creek is showing some promise, but there need to be more of those and people dedicated to cleaning them out, plus something done about fast food parking lots upstream, including on Threemile Branch.

Valdosta Trash on Sugar Creek, Withlacoochee River, Little River

For all about the Valdosta trash situation, see: https://wwals.net/issues/trash/

SB

Remember the second boom we put across Sugar Creek? Here’s a report from the last day of January:

We need to put more empty bottles in there. Sinking in about 4 places. We have all the bottles we need at the floating trash pile.

Here is where a story begins. Bottles taken out of the creek used to keep bottles from reaching the river. A few pictures of Bobby’s kids stuffing the pipe with used bottles.

We shouldn’t do this just for ourselves but for future generations.

Sinking boom Sugar Creek 2022-01-31 Photo: Russell McBride

BRS

Here’s that boom floating better with trash bottles recycled as floats inside the boom.

Boom restuffed Sugar Creek 2022-02-04 Photo: Russell McBride

BC

Caught about 8 plastic bottles and several pieces of styrofoam.

Movie: Boom starting to collect trash Sugar Creek 2022-02-06 Photo: Russell McBride

FB

The first boom we put across Sugar Creek also sort of works, but not as well as the second boom.

First boom Sugar Creek 2022-02-06 Photo: Russell McBride

MT

Most of the trash blew to shore. Easy pick up. At least 20 lbs.

Closeup trash at boom Sugar Creek 2022-02-11 Photo: Russell McBride

WRT

Meanwhile, Bobby McKenzie reported from the Withlacoochee River downstream from Threemile Branch:

There is plenty of water to kayak from Langdale Park to Troupville. Unfortunately there is also plenty of trash too. I went to paddle but ended up pulling a couple bags of trash out of logjams on the river.

Cleaned it the best I could. Had to leave some because it wasn’t safe to get.

Trash in boat, Withlacoochee River, downstream from Threemile Branch 2022-02-14 Photo: Bobby McKenzie

SCT

Trash on shore Sugar Creek 2022-02-15 Photo: Russell McBride

WSCT

Trashjam Sugar Creek 2022-02-15 Photo: Russell McBride

MPLR

How can trash from Valdosta get in the Little River upstream from its Confluence with the Withlacoochee River? When the water is high, the Withlacoochee washes over the divide between the two watersheds, into the Little River. And this was on the Little River a bit upstream from the Confluence on the Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle.

Trash, Little River, Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle 2022-02-19

MPWR

Downstream of the Confluence, one of our paddlers capsized picking up trash, and two others gathered this big bag of trash in their canoe.

Trash in canoe, lunch stop, Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle, Withlacoochee River 2022-02-19 Photo: John S. Quarterman

MPSB

Trash in canoe at Spook Bridge, Withlacoochee River 2022-02-19 Photo: Bobby McKenzie

TAB

Back at Sugar Creek, after about a week, the second trash boom was sinking in three spots. Pool noodles needed.

Trash at boom Sugar Creek 2022-02-20 Photo: Russell McBride

Modification complete. All spots where pipe had sunk to water level have been raised a noodle. The DIY TB ( trash barrier) is doing a great job. I would say it is stopping 99 % all floating trash.

With the addition of the pool noodles and zip ties price tag is now $98.

SCWR

But there was already Sugar Creek Trash downstream on the Withlacoochee River.

Suwannee Riverkeeper sticker, Withlacoochee River trash in kayak 2022-02-22 Photo: Russell McBride

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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