Withlacoochee River Paddling Guide
By SUZANNE WELANDER
The Withlacoochee winds through a thickly wooded swamp corridor.
A list of Georgia's truly beautiful scenic rivers includes the Withlacoochee. Originating in Tift and Berrien counties, its dark waters flow south along the Cook County line into Lowndes County, where it is joined by its largest tributary, (ironically) the Little River. Intimate, shaded in its northern reaches) mysterious in its beauty - the Withlacoochee is one of the few Coastal Plain streams in which limestone ledges form small shoals. A second distinctive feature of the river is the occasional white sandbar on the insides of bends, which are perfect for swimming or camping.
SUMMARY: A paddling guide to the Withaloochee River from GA 37 to GA 31. The trip may be broken up into shorter trips by using the access points shown on the interactive map. Class I (I+); Length: 68.8 miles; Time: up to 1 week; Gauge: web; Level: unknown; Gradient: less than 2 feet per mile; Scenery: B+ to C. VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP.
DESCRIPTION: Runnable from GA 37 to the confluence with the Little River during the winter and spring, and below the confluence of the Little from late November to early August, the Withaloochee is bordered by cultivated table land and commercial pine forests. The water is a clear, burgundy-red color, which contrasts strikingly with the white sand banks and often appears glossy black where the channel is deep. Formation of bypass islands and oxbow lakes is common. Both the Withlacoochee and the Little jump their low, sandy, clay banks to inundate their narrow floodplains for long periods of time, giving rise to bottom forests of swamp black gum and cypress. Cypress and gum grow in the stream as well as on the banks, where they are joined by Ogeechee lime, water elm, water oak, laurel oak, and sweet bay. Scrub vegetation is thick with palmetto, swamp cyrilla, and possum haw, among other varieties. Birds, reptiles, and other animals flourish along the Withlacoochee and are readily observable in all their diversity by the silent paddler. At the GA 37 crossing (A), the river averages a slim 30 feet in width; it expands to 40 feet as it dips into Lowndes County and broadens to 55 to 70 feet below the mouth of the Little, where the river's course straightens. Shoals occur primarily in Lowndes and Brooks counties, rarely surpassing Class 1+ in difficulty. One small rapid, complete with surfing wave, is found upstream of the Clyattsville-Nankin Road bridge. Another awaits where the river first crosses the border into Florida. The limestone shoal that forms the foundation of this rapid is jagged; avoid contact with it by running this on the left. Signs of habitation are sparse, although swimmers are frequently encountered at bridge crossings and anglers are likely to turn up anywhere. The current is moderate, and other than the small shoals mentioned, deadfalls create the only hazard to navigation. Continuing south in a broad loop, the Withlacoochee passes quietly into Florida where it empties into the Suwannee. Although only the Georgia portion of the Withlacoochee is described, the Florida section is equally beautiful and fully worthy of exploration.
SHUTTLE: From 1-75, take Exit 11 south of Valdosta. Turn south on GA 31 and continue to the river at the Florida border. Turn right onto the dirt road before the bridge to reach the boat ramp. Access points above Valdosta are easily reached via GA 125 north. Below Valdosta, see the map for the best routes.
GAUGE: The USGS Web site lists data for the telemetry gauge at Quitman and farther upstream at Bemiss. Minimum levels using this gauge are unknown. Maximum is flood stage. Local outfitters can provide assessments of runnability over the phone.
MAPS: New Lois, Hahira East, Valdosta, Lousley, Nankin, Clyattville (USGS); Berrien, Lowndes, Brooks (County)
