RIVERKEEPER NEWS MARCH 2022
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Getting to know the River
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the St. Marys River these past ten weeks. Although there is still plenty to explore and learn, I have loved every moment of getting my feet wet in the beauty of our blackwater river system.
Since becoming Executive Director/Riverkeeper in January, I have seen where the River begins in the Okefenokee Swamp to where it meets the Atlantic Ocean and many places in between. Our River is as diverse as the flora and fauna that inhabit it. Now is the time to get out and experience all that the St. Marys River has to offer us as a unique and priceless natural resource.
Be sure to follow @StMarysRiverkeeper on social media to keep up to date with all we have going on and our travels within watershed. Here are some recent highlights:
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Took an aerial tour of the river, thanks to the generous donation from SouthWings
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Spent two days paddling the upper river with the Georgia River Network.
- Made visits to Florida's Lofton Creek in Yulee, St. Marys waterfront, Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach, and the river stretch along Baker County, FL.
- Observed septic tank installation in Kingsland, GA
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Viewed the river's white bluffs along Rayonier property
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Participated in Adopt-A-Streams's water quality training and went out sampling with a few of our dedicated Citizen Scientists.
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Joined the Georgia Wildlife Federation for a conservation work day on the St. Marys
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Planned and enjoyed our 6th-birthday celebration at Okefenokee Swamp Park
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See you on the River soon!
Emily Floore
Executive Director/Riverkeeper
emily@stmarysriverkeeper.org
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Riverkeeper Members enjoyed gathering at the Okefenokee Swamp Park to celebrate 6 years of protecting the St. Marys River watershed. With the support of our Volunteers, Members, Donors, and Community, our organization is able to protect the ecological health and diversity of our river.
Together, we can make a difference!
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Become a Member or renew TODAY and get an invite to our next members only event! |
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Thank you to our sponsors for making this event a success:
Marketing and Photos: Collective and Company, LLC
Support from: Ted and Alease Kelly at Inn at Folkston and our St. Marys Riverkeeper Board Members
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BE ADVISED - access to this site is NOT open to the public due to private land.
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The Way it Was
The story of Ellicot's Mound
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It was an honor to visit Ellicot's Mound in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge with two of St. Marys Riverkeeper's Board Members to see the plaque that designates where the St. Marys River begins.
In 1795, The American and Spanish governments negotiated that the thirty-first parallel would be boundary line between their territories. Andrew Ellicot was commissioned to be the surveyor and he and his team set out to determine the headwaters of the St. Marys River. After much travel up the St. Marys he turned into the South Prong of the Little St. Marys in Baker County where he determined that the stream's "candidacy as a headwater stream was poor". The team backtracked to the River's mainstem and headed into the North Prong. "When he (Ellicot) reached the great Okefenokee where the tannin-stained stream emerged uninterrupted and relatively strong, he declared that to be the true source of the St. Marys River" (Baker County Press). Ellicot made a mound to mark to spot.
To ensure a healthy St. Marys River, we must ensure a healthy Okefenokee Swamp.
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Our team of dedicated Citizen Scientists are trained to use Georgia Adopt-A-Stream's Standard Operating Procedures to collect and report chemical and bacterial parameters. We monitor roughly 50 sites around the watershed monthly to ensure the health and safety for all who recreate on the water.
We use EPA’s recommended E. coli levels for recreational waters corresponding to what they consider an acceptable level of risk if 8 people out of 1000 might get sick:
Legend: Units are CFU/100mL
Good (0 – 235) | Fair (235-536) | Poor (>536).
- Designated Swimming: (0-235)
- Moderate Swimming: (235-298)
- Less Swim / Contact: (298-410)
- Infrequent Contact: (410-600)
- Avoid Swimming: (>600)
If you are wanting to learn more on what it takes to become a Citizen Scientist, email us!
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Check in on the health of our River and see where there might be E. coli or other nonpoint source pollution contamination. Be sure to check out our DATA RESULTS before you go swimming and download the Swim Guide App to determine if your recreational site of choice is 'Green for Go' or 'Red for No'
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Two segments of the St. Marys River are now designated for recreational use!
Georgia DNR declares 407 miles of Georgia waterways safe for recreational use. This upgrade means that the segments are safe for “general recreational activities such as water skiing, boating, and swimming, or for any other use requiring water of a lower quality, such as recreational fishing”. The review does not require water to be tested, but rather looks at the land use within 10 miles of the waterway for point and nonpoint source pollution. For the Triennial Review this year, St. Marys Riverkeeper and St. Marys River Water Management Committee will be applying for more sections of the St. Marys River to be designated as swimmable.
St. Marys River segments are: Deep Creek to Boone Creek and Prospect Landing Road to Little St. Marys River
Read the whole article HERE.
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Tributary Impairment of Clay Branch and Hatcher's Branch in Homeland, GA sparks 319 grant application.
Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act provides the ability for states, territories, and tribes to receive grant money to assess nonpoint source pollution issues and address them through specific remediation projects. Phase One of the City of Homeland's 319 grant will be to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to replace non-compliant septic systems with technologies that meet or exceed current standards. The ultimate objective is to reduce bacterial load on all of Spanish Creek by 90%. BMP implementation and subsequent reduction in bacterial load will have positive benefits to wildlife and local residents alike. Currently, Clay Branch is impaired for fecal coliform and both Hatcher's and Clay Branch have pending impairments for dissolved oxygen.
Read about our success with Horsepen Creek 319 grant HERE.
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World Water Day
March 22 | All Day
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Take Action this World Water Day! Join St. Marys Riverkeeper and Waterkeepers around the world as we celebrate 50 years since the Clean Water Act. We are challenging you to get out and celebrate this day in your own way - go kayaking, pick up trash, do a water audit to start conserving water, etc. Be sure to share your experience by tagging us on social media! |
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Paddle the Swamp
March 26 | 9a-4p
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Paddle the headwaters of the St. Marys River. All kayak skill levels are welcome.
Suggested donation:
$45 per person (includes lunch)
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Ride the Ridge
April 9 | 10a-12p
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Grab your BIKE and come ride with us to learn about coal ash at Chesser Island Landfill.
Suggested donation:
$20 per person
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Annual River Cleanup
April 23 | 9a-11a
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A River is only as healthy as its tributaries. Join us for the 24th ANNUAL RIVER CLEANUP!
Registration Coming Soon!
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Riverkeeper Meet and Greet
April 28 | 5p-7p
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Are you interested in learning more about St. Marys Riverkeeper? Join us for a Happy Hour Mingle at SJ Brewing in Yulee for a general overview of who we are and how you can get involved.
SAVE WATER, DRINK BEER!
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We will be adding new events throughout the year, so check our website frequently for new adventures! |
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We genuinely appreciate the continued support and generosity of our members, partners and donors. |
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