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)

Links:

• The Withaloochee is in the Suwannee River watershed. Read Suzanne Welander’s Suwannee River paddling guide.
• Read more about the Suwannee River.
• Download a 4-color poster of the Suwannee River showing its Withaloochee tributary.

A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia is a compilation of paddling guides to over 80 Georgia streams and rivers, plus the Okefenokee Swamp and Georgia Coast, published by Menasha Ridge Press since 1982. Originally written by Bob Sehlinger and Don Otey, it has been extensively revised and updated by Suzanne Welander. Organized efficiently by watersheds, the book contains a wealth of interesting and useful information about Georgia physiography and paddling, in general, as well as the authoritative paddling guides. To purchase a copy of A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia, a book every paddler of Georgia streams should have in their library (and boat), and to see over 75 other outdoor guides published by Menasha, visit the Menasha Ridge Press website.    

By SUZANNE WELANDER

This is a paddling guide to a trip on the Suwannee River, including a portion of the Okefenokee Swamp, in extreme Southwest Georgia, with a total distance of 45.5 miles. The trip may be divided into shorter sections by selecting alternate put-in and take-out points. See map.

Deep in the Okefenokee Swamp, the Suwannee is born at the confluence of the East and Middle Forks of the Suwannee at the northern end of Billys Lake.

Thanks to Stephen Foster, there are few streams in American folklore and culture better known than the Suwannee. The mere mention of its name stirs fanciful visions of stately moss-draped cypress and sultry Southern days. No more beautiful than several dozen other southern Georgia rivers, the Suwannee is, nevertheless, a living legend in the most literal sense, and therefore something special. The river originates deep in the bowels of the Okefenokee Swamp and winds its way southeast, escaping into Florida and its terminus at the Gulf of Mexico.

DESCRIPTION: Only a small portion of the Suwannee flows within the state of its birth, a fact made much of by Florida tourism promoters. This section, however, is unique among all stretches of the river by virtue of the almost mystical aura conferred by the Okefenokee Swamp.

Deep in the middle of the swamp, the Suwannee is born at the confluence of the East and Middle Forks of the Suwannee at the northern end of Billys Lake. Access is available at the nearby Stephen Foster (who else?) State Park. You will quickly find, however, that paddling within Okefenokee is heavily regulated (see the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge profile). If you proceed downstream and out of the swamp, you will have to cross the sill, a man-made levee constructed to stabilize the depth of water in the swamp. The portage is short and easy, but alas, a permit is required. If this sounds like the heavy hand of bureaucracy, remember that this regulation and several dozen more like it (like carrying all human waste out of the swamp), have preserved the pristine integrity of one of America’s irreplaceable natural wonders.

Once across the sill, the Suwannee settles into shallow, white, sandy clay banks and flows southward through a watery floodplain forested with pond cypress, swamp black gum, sweet bay, swamp cyrilla, slash pine, magnolia and palmetto. Since animals and birds do not need permits to cross the sill, the incredibly diverse fauna found in the Okefenokee can also be found along the upper Suwannee.

The water color is dark red, stained by tannic acid from decaying vegetation, and the current is slow. Below the sill to the GA 94 bridge crossing at Fargo, the river flows through several large midstream stands of cypress and gum, which at higher water require some heads-up navigation and present a nice opportunity to get lost in the surrounding inundated lowlands. While the flow of the main current is usually easy to follow, there are times when map, compass, and a little swamp luck are helpful. Access between the state park and Fargo is almost nonexistent, except at a private campground off of GA 177 where camping and launching are available for a small fee. The state has purchased 350 acres of land on the river at Fargo; in the future there may be more access available.

Below Fargo the Suwannee remains isolated in pristine, exotic wilderness and flows languidly along a shady, twisting course of moss-draped cypress. The first access point below Fargo is CR 6, just over the state line. If you continue, you will notice that the banks are higher and more well-defined, and that numerous feeder streams enter the Suwannee. Farther downstream, Florida’s largest rapid, Big Shoals, and the Stephen Foster (who else?) Memorial await you.

The Suwannee’s current is slow to moderate. Dangers to navigation are confined to the standard deadfalls in the stream’s adolescent reaches and locals drinking at the GA 94 bridge. Since campsites are rare below access point B, paddlers should launch with sufficient daylight remaining to make Fargo before dark.

SHUTTLE (See map): Out of Fargo, take US 441 south into Florida. Turn right onto CR 6 and follow it to the river. Return to US 441 north for put-in access at its crossing in Fargo or continue north on GA 177 to the fish camp, where camping and launching are available for a fee, or to the highest access point deep in the swamp at Stephen Foster State Park.

GAUGE: Levels for gauges at and above Fargo are available on the USGS Web site:

Suwannee River above Fargo, GA

Suwannee River at US 441, at Fargo

Runnability levels are unknown. More information can be provided by calling the local outfitters or by calling the Waycross Fisheries Office at (912) 285-6094.

PAPER MAPS: (USGS maps) Billys Island, The Pocket, Strange Island, Fargo, Needmore, Fargo Southwest. (County maps) Charlton, Ware, Clinch, Echols

More Links

• Read more about the Suwannee River, one of Georgia’s 14 major watersheds.
• Read more about Stephen Foster State Park in the Okefenokee.
• Are the lyrics to “Way Down Upon the Swanee River” racist? Decide for yourself.
• Read more about the tragic life of Stephen Foster, who never laid eyes on the river he made world famous.

A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia is a compilation of paddling guides to over 80 Georgia streams and rivers, plus the Okefenokee Swamp and Georgia Coast, published by Menasha Ridge Press since 1982. Originally written by Bob Sehlinger and Don Otey, it has been extensively revised and updated by Suzanne Welander. Organized efficiently by watersheds, the book contains a wealth of interesting and useful information about Georgia physiography and paddling, in general, as well as the authoritative paddling guides. To purchase a copy of A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia, a book every paddler of Georgia streams should have in their library (and boat), and to see over 75 other outdoor guides published by Menasha, visit the Menasha Ridge Press website.