Visitors leave beer cans and half-burned trash on the banks of the Ogeechee River.
ORK is encouraging families and households to adopt a spot on the river and commit to checking it for litter regularly.
One of the busiest, and messiest, places along the river is the landing. From constructed boat ramps to informal sandy spots to put in, these are heavily trafficked areas and tend to accumulate trash.
Our goal is to have each location ‘adopted’ by a dedicated crew who will make sure the litter is collected and disposed of properly.
ORK will provide documents for volunteer hours, if needed.
Volunteers will:
Choose a location to adopt
Cleanup the location at least once per month
Take before and after photos
Before heading out, consider the weather and prepare appropriately. Also be advised an ORK staff member will not be in attendance. This clean-up project will be “at your own risk.”
Interested volunteers should visit the map for possible spots to adopt then contact Lauren, education and outreach coordinator.
Deadfall is the term for trees, branches or other natural debris that falls into the river. This debris can get caught or pile up, making it difficult, or even impossible, for boaters and paddlers to travel on the river.
So what does one do with it?
Rules vary from state to state but in Georgia, the debris is considered part of the land it fell from, and is therefore private property. While the river itself is public, the land on either side belongs to the property owners. Any deadfall is theirs to remove, if they choose.
Ecologically, removing deadfall entirely is not advised. The shady spots, slowed water flow, and underwater hiding places a downed tree provides are welcome habitat for many species. Generally, Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s (ORK) recommendation is to clear a navigable path while leaving some debris for natural use.
In most cases, the debris will be knocked loose quickly or the water levels will change enough to make the obstacle no longer a problem.
Paddling under deadfall
If you encounter deadfall, try to determine precisely where the obstacle is. If it is part of a state park or other public facility, it can be reported. If possible, it might be removed (or modified) to allow for safe passage). Drop a GPS pin or be as specific as possible when describing so it can be located later.
If it is on private property, or the land owner is unknown, you are welcome to notify ORK but we cannot do anything to remove it. ORK can make note of the obstacle and let other paddlers know to avoid that section, although the debris is usually gone or no longer an obstacle by the time paddlers visit again. As frustrating it is for recreation, ORK cannot remove debris or require a private property owner to do so.
Caused by soil erosion, high water levels, flow rate, weather patterns, wind speed, and more, deadfall is part of the natural life of a river.
A watershed is a system of how water flows through an area moving sediment, water and dissolved materials into a common point. Think of how a river or creek flows into or out of a lake. The Ogeechee Watershed (see map) has many types of ecosystems within it including freshwater from the Piedmont region, to blackwater rivers and swamps in the Coastal Plain region and runs all the way to the Georgia coast.
Description of Activity:
Submit your trivia answers to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org by July 31. We’ll send a free t-shirt for the first one to get all answers correct. Although it is tempting, try not to go straight to Google for answers. Go outside, and look for the answers. Use books and maps rather than the internet for your research, if possible.
Trivia Questions:
How many watersheds does GA have? Bonus: Name 3.
How many major river basins does GA have? Bonus: Name 2.
What are the 5 geographic regions of GA?
Name two creeks in your watershed.
What is the biggest city in your watershed?
Name three animals that live in the Ogeechee River watershed.
Name one rare plant that lives in, but is not limited to, the Ogeechee River watershed.
How many people does the Ogeechee River basin provide drinking water for?
Name as many state parks as you can that are located in the Ogeechee River watershed.
What is an aquifer?
Activity is open to all ages and meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence.
S2E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how weather, plants, animals, and humans cause changes to the environment.
S3L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions (Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau) of Georgia.
S4E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.
S6E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to recognize the significant role of water in Earth processes.
The bald-faced hornet, also called the bald hornet or the white-faced hornet, is technically a wasp and only a close cousin to the true hornet. It gets its name for the black and white coloring (rather than the typical black and yellow) of its body.
Still, it behaves much that same, living in colonies of several hundred and building paper nests created from chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva. Nests high in trees or rocky overhangs are common. These beautiful nests can be up to two feet long.
A bald-faced hornet nest in a tree along the Ogeechee River. Photo by Samarra Mullis
The nests include many layers of hexagonal combs inside of an outer layer protective paper. They also create air vents in the upper portion of the nest that heat to escape.
The adult hornets are omnivores, eating other insects as well as fruit, meat, spiders and plant nectar. Perhaps more fierce and frightening than butterflies or bees, they are also important pollinators.
Art by Caroline Rose
This species lives throughout most of America and Canada but are most commonly found in the American southeast. They are a stinging insects, though rarely do so unless disturbed. When found in urban or suburban areas it is recommended the nests be moved by professionals.
PFAs are a category of manmade carcinogenic chemicals. Invented and brought into widespread use during World War II, they are very effective in extinguishing fires, especially ones accelerated by jet fuel or petroleum products. The PFAs are mixed with water to create a spray foam that suffocates the fire quickly and doesn’t allow the fire to reignite. They are also used to coat fabrics for firefighters.
PFAs are considered ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in the environment and they accumulate in wildlife, plants and humans.
I don’t work in an airport and I’m not a firefighter or in the military, so I’m fine.
Not really. PFAs are used in many household items like nonstick cookware, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, windshield fluid and carpets.
They are also in the water — groundwater and drinking water. And over time, they accumulate in fish and livestock, meaning they are in the food chain. All of these sources cause them to accumulate in the human body.
Additionally, steps should be taken to make firefighting and military equipment safe for those using it.
Firefighter puts out car fire with PFAs-based foam
What does that mean?
Scientists are still investigating, testing and studying results, but here are some results:
It is estimated that 98% of Americans have some level of PFAs in their blood.
If a person were able to avoid exposure to any and all PFAs, it would take 3.5 years for half of the PFAs to be processed out of their system.
Studies show links to thyroid and liver problems, obesity, high cholesterol, low birth weight, and certain cancers.
Approximately 16 million Americans are drinking water that has been contaminated with PFAs. This includes private wells and public water systems.
Attention needs to be paid to threatened areas, particularly those near military installations or manufacturing plants. For example, the U.S. Air Force is testing water on 200 bases around the world, but as of last year had only completed a third of them.
All three U.S. Air Force bases in Georgia showed significant levels of PFAs contamination in the groundwater. Unfortunately, the military did not test water offsite, even if it was nearby. Local residents that use private wells are especially vulnerable to contamination.
The EPA drinking water advisory level is 70 parts per trillion PFAs. Groundwater samples from Moody Air Force Base tested 5,000 times that; Dobbins Air Reserve tested at 1,000 times; and Robins Air Force Base tested at more than 5,000 times the screening level.
Fire department sprays water on fire suppression foam. Photo by Greg L. Davis U.S. Air Force via dover.af.mi
So how do we get rid of it?
Some municipalities have already started to take steps.
In Rome, Georgia, the city commission adopted a resolution stating that “certain manufacturers and distributors” were a public nuisance, paving the way for possible litigation if contamination occurs.
The chemical company 3M is facing multiple federal lawsuits in Charleston, South Carolina, for production of the PFAs compounds. 3M is also in the courtroom over allegations it polluted waterways near its factories in Minnesota.
The State of Michigan tests fish and issues an annual advisory in the form of a Eat Safe Fish Guide.
Local governments and citizens must require action regarding PFAs.
Before heading out, consider the weather and prepare appropriately. Also be advised an ORK staff member will not be in attendance. This clean-up project will be “at your own risk.”
