Savannah Riverkeeper

SPREAD THE WORD: Long-awaited dredging got underway today at Lake Olmstead. The multi-million dollar restoration project has been years in the making. It's expected to be a much-needed facelift for the lake, which has spots in its center just a foot deep. The dredging, when finished, is expected to make Lake Olmstead better place for our community, especially those who use the water for recreation, several small businesses included.

Heads up kayakers!!! Before you paddle the #AugustaCanal remember Lake Olmstead is closed for recreational use this year. Thankfully there are two easy-access alternatives not far away. #augnews

We’re aware of this development near the Canadian border. We’ve learned there’s been no explosion, but a few rail cars are burning. Waterkeeper Alliance is monitoring the situation in the State of Washington. You know we protect clean water together... and we’ll update with details from Matt KROG who is near the scene

Look who was hiding in the communications director’s office this morning! Larry the Elf. I guess he doesn’t have to go too far to find Santa, he works two doors down.

We've issued a water alert today for Rocky Creek in South Augusta. This area is popular with duck hunters this time of the year, and high levels of bacteria continue to show up in the monthly water quality tests. Help us share this information with your followers, especially those who might hunt, fish, or hike near this part of Rocky Creek. To find out more about the water quality in all of the creeks, streams, and rivers we monitor, check out our Savannah Riverkeeper Swim Guide here: https://www.savannahriverkeeper.org/swimguide.html#/

2 more days until the raffle is pulled - 7 fantastic "packages" - get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/2020SRKRaffle 1) Taste of Augusta Package - This Package is worth $350, this includes: Gift Certificate from Pizza Joint $40... Gift Certificate from Fantastic Sams $60 Gift Certificate from Laziza $20 Gift Certificate from Taj of India $25 Gift Certificate from Fat Man's Cafe $25 Gift Certificate from Soy Noodle $25, Gift Certificates and Items from Carolina Ale House $105 Gift Certificate from Augsburg Haus $20 2) Cooler of Cheer Package - MUST BE 21YEARS OLD OR OLDER TO PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE This Package will be worth over $400, will include: COHO 55 Quart Rotomolded Cooler $150 Gift Certificate from Publics $50 Gift Certificate from Beverage Outlet: $20 Gift Certificate from Riverside Brewery, $20 Gift Certificate from 2nd City Distillery plus Hat and Rock Glass $75 Gift Certificate from Savannah River Brewing $20 3) Dog Package - This Dog Package is worth over $510 and includes: 6 weeks dog training with K-9 Solutions worth $400; A basket of home made treats and dog friendly items from Paws and Claws worth $50 Dog Chew Toys from Hollywood Feed worth $60 4) Cheese Board Package - This Package is worth over $460, this includes: Hand Made Live Edge Cherry Wood Charcuterie worth $200 Hand Turned Wooden Handled - Wine Opener & Cheese Knives Worth $200 Gift Certificate from Publics $50 Gift Certificate from Toast Beverage $10 Outdoor Adventures Package - 5) This Outdoor Adventure Package is worth over $400: Patagonia Black Hole Duffle Bag worth $129; Guided Hike for 20 people from Phinizy Swamp worth $50; Bike Peddler Augusta Rental worth $70; Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental worth $70; Escape Outdoors Gift Certificate for $50; 1 Large T-Shirt & Nature Guide & 2 Boat Trips from Augusta Canal Worth $75 6) Augusta Staycation Package - This Augusta Staycation is worth over $400 - This package includes: 2 night stay at the Olde Town Inn worth $250 Gift Certificate for Foxes Lair $25 Gift Certificate from AUGUSTA & CO. $25 Gift Certificate from Tire City Potters $50 Gift Certificate for Charcoal from Fireside Kitchen & Grills worth $55 Gift Certificate from Art on Broad $25 7)Savannah Adventure Package - MUST BE 21YEARS OLD OR OLDER TO PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE This Savannah Adventure Package is worth over $340, this includes: Ebenezer paddle trip for two & One auto-inflate life vest from Backwater Expeditions worth $215 Gift Certificate from Green Truck Neighborhood Pub worth $25 Ghost Coast Distillery Gift Basket worth $100

Bad News out of Athens this morning. A new invasive fish found on the Oconee....a popular aquarium fish.. PLEASE do not release non-native fish into our rivers and streams

It’s a great night for a fire! On the river at our Augusta office it is wet and it is cold. What’s it like where you are?

Beautiful river, beautiful morning!

Wonderful Georgia Southern Alumni helping with River's Alive

The North Fork of the Little River is out of its banks near the Tyrone community in Wilkes County, GA. This was taken this afternoon, before more rain started falling this evening.

2020 was certainly one for the record books. As we gear up for our 20th year in 2021 we hope you enjoy this quick look back. If you are looking for that end of the year donation, we would love your support! Thank you for helping us make 2020 one to remember! #ComeOn2021 https://vimeo.com/492569202

WATCH: Today is the day! Here are the winners of the awesome prizes of the #SRKRaffle2020. Savannah Riverkeeper would like to thank everyone who bought a ticket, and especally thank our local partners who donated amazing prizes.

SRK is holding a Raffle with 7 major packages - each is worth between $300 to $500 each. Go to https://bit.ly/2020SRKRaffle to buy tickets. Funds raised will help support our Water Testing programs.

The River, she is rising. As the Corps prepares for the water in the upper basin from the approaching storm, they have increased the flow from all 3 lakes. Folks out on the water through the weekend should expect the river to more than triple in flow below Clarks Hill from 7000cfs to 25,000cfs expected this weekend.

Great way to support our water sampling program. Go to https://bit.ly/2020SRKRaffle buy tickets.

2 more days until the raffle is pulled - 7 fantastic "packages" - get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/2020SRKRaffle 1) Taste of Augusta Package - This Package is worth $350, this includes: Gift Certificate from Pizza Joint $40... Gift Certificate from Fantastic Sams $60 Gift Certificate from Laziza $20 Gift Certificate from Taj of India $25 Gift Certificate from Fat Man's Cafe $25 Gift Certificate from Soy Noodle $25, Gift Certificates and Items from Carolina Ale House $105 Gift Certificate from Augsburg Haus $20 2) Cooler of Cheer Package - MUST BE 21YEARS OLD OR OLDER TO PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE This Package will be worth over $400, will include: COHO 55 Quart Rotomolded Cooler $150 Gift Certificate from Publics $50 Gift Certificate from Beverage Outlet: $20 Gift Certificate from Riverside Brewery, $20 Gift Certificate from 2nd City Distillery plus Hat and Rock Glass $75 Gift Certificate from Savannah River Brewing $20 3) Dog Package - This Dog Package is worth over $510 and includes: 6 weeks dog training with K-9 Solutions worth $400; A basket of home made treats and dog friendly items from Paws and Claws worth $50 Dog Chew Toys from Hollywood Feed worth $60 4) Cheese Board Package - This Package is worth over $460, this includes: Hand Made Live Edge Cherry Wood Charcuterie worth $200 Hand Turned Wooden Handled - Wine Opener & Cheese Knives Worth $200 Gift Certificate from Publics $50 Gift Certificate from Toast Beverage $10 Outdoor Adventures Package - 5) This Outdoor Adventure Package is worth over $400: Patagonia Black Hole Duffle Bag worth $129; Guided Hike for 20 people from Phinizy Swamp worth $50; Bike Peddler Augusta Rental worth $70; Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental worth $70; Escape Outdoors Gift Certificate for $50; 1 Large T-Shirt & Nature Guide & 2 Boat Trips from Augusta Canal Worth $75 6) Augusta Staycation Package - This Augusta Staycation is worth over $400 - This package includes: 2 night stay at the Olde Town Inn worth $250 Gift Certificate for Foxes Lair $25 Gift Certificate from AUGUSTA & CO. $25 Gift Certificate from Tire City Potters $50 Gift Certificate for Charcoal from Fireside Kitchen & Grills worth $55 Gift Certificate from Art on Broad $25 7)Savannah Adventure Package - MUST BE 21YEARS OLD OR OLDER TO PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE This Savannah Adventure Package is worth over $340, this includes: Ebenezer paddle trip for two & One auto-inflate life vest from Backwater Expeditions worth $215 Gift Certificate from Green Truck Neighborhood Pub worth $25 Ghost Coast Distillery Gift Basket worth $100

Support Savannah Riverkeeper by getting your Raffle Tickets Here: https://bit.ly/2020SRKRaffle

That's a wrap folks! Raffle tickets for the new Dagger kayak are gone. The drawing will be held live Monday! Big thanks to Half Moon Outfitters Augusta for helping us get more and more folks out on the waters of the Savannah.

Whoa! Raffle tickets have been going quick, but the system hit a technical snag and went down for awhile. So your deadline is extended! The drawing will be held Monday at noon and will be live online! This brand new kayak would be a great way to get back on the water or would make a great gift for your spouse or friend. There aren't many left, so don't wait! https://savannahriverkeeper.secure.force.com//cnp_paas_evt

Make plans to do some good on your Saturday in Savannah tomorrow! We are helping out at the Great Savannah Cleanup 2020 and we would love to see your stylin' mask out there making a difference! Details and registration are here: https://www.keepsavannahbeautiful.org/great-savannah-cleanup

Our staff has gotten out the vote already, have you? Plenty of info campaigns out there have asked you to, so we won't do that... BUT we will ask you to vote YES on Amendment 1 when you go vote (in Georgia). It will ensure funds collected for cleanups go where they were intended, not into pet projects. It's a bipartisan bill introduced by a republican GA House Rep. that's gone through and passed the legislature - just needs a yes from us. You can read more about the amendment here: https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia_Amendment_1,_Dedicating_Tax

Anyone want a kayak? $20 and this awesome kayak from Half Moon could be yours...raffle ends Oct 24th!

We just got confirmation that the sunken tug boat, barge, and crane in the Wilmington River have been removed! Thanks to all who sent info and photos. While there may not seem to be much to do with it, we think there's a lot of value in keeping records of our waterways.

Sometimes complex, typically long-term, quietly centered on the outcome more than the credit, our work always deserves the heart and dedication we put into it. For the long term health of our communities and ecosystems, it's fishable, swimmable, drinkable water that gets us out of bed in the morning. #waterislife At a time when the news cycle seems only seconds long and attention spans and memory seem even shorter, it's reassuring to see good, in-depth stories like this. Nice work, Beacon Magazine. https://www.savannahnow.com//savannah-river-unites-our-reg

It's good to see the Environmental Management mission moving in a positive direction at Savannah River Site. After years of mitigation and monitoring leaks and concerns with the waste tanks at SRS, they will be able to get these closed. While there are concerns with other projects potentially bringing more radioactive material in, this is good news worth knowing. https://www.augustachronicle.com//srs-salt-waste-processin

We love the joy that comes with a new kayak and we want to share that with you... but we only have one! You can get your ticket to the kayak raffle here: https://sforce.co/2R3l3mn We have to give a little love to the folks over at Half-Moon Outfitters in Augusta for helping to get one of you outdoors and on the water in a nice, new Dagger. Tickets are limited and by the looks of it, we won't have them for long. Grab one today and join us for the live drawing online October 24!

Our Dave Mewborn got out on the water to take a look at the Wilmington River oil and fuel spill. Early reports included a sinking tugboat, but it looks to be just a barge with equipment working on a dock building operation that went underwater. We are working with folks and officials nearby to ensure proper cleanup. The boom is in place but could have been done better - we aim to ensure the rest of the cleanup is done to higher standards to protect residents and wildlife who depend on these waters.

We have just learned about a situation on the Wilmington River in the Savannah area with a sunken tug boat and crane. Oil and fuel are running in the river. Some of the early efforts to catch the flow don't seem to be going well. Check back soon, we will have a live feed. If you see this spill, please send photos to [email protected].

Funding to clean up our communities and protect the health of our citizens should never be moved for side projects or any discretionary decisions. The health of our public and our waterways is too important. We encourage everyone to support clean water with a YES vote on Amendment 1 this November. https://waterkeeper.org//georgia-waterkeepers-ask-citizen/

Just telling us what we already knew... Y'all, don't quit being good to your neighbors or to your communities! We love our volunteers from the Veterans for Clean Water program, those who help with CityServe, and events like the annual Paddlefest - big thanks to all the organizations and businesses that help us with cleanups all across the watershed. https://augustamagazine.com//augusta-named-the-most-neigh/