Hopkins Landing in Chattahoochee, FL, Gadsden County, Saturday, 10/28/18
Hurricane recovery efforts continue throughout the counties affected in our watershed (Gulf, Franklin, Calhoun, Liberty, Jackson and Gadsden). Many of Florida’s State Parks in the Apalachicola River region are closed due to hurricane related damage. Likewise, most of the boat ramps on the Apalachicola River sustained considerable damage from Hurricane Michael. We’ve been photo documenting various places along the river and bay since the storm, the third most powerful storm to hit the continental US. Many homes and businesses remain without power throughout the region. Thousands of homes were destroyed or made inhabitable.
Our scheduled Fourth Saturday Paddle on Lake Seminole at Three Rivers State Park was replaced with a clean up effort at Hopkins Landing in Chattahoochee. Several volunteers worked to clear an area of tree limbs. Fortunately, the road to and around the landing was made accessible shortly following the storm and the boat ramp and floating dock are fully usable. Fishing from the banks and dock at Hopkins Landing is a popular recreation activity for many. Restrooms remain closed and many fallen trees and sizable limbs cover the park.
Water quality data was gathered at several locations from Chattahoochee south to Bristol and Blountstown. Point bars where the University of Florida is conducting vegetative restoration projects were also visited. Special thanks to the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve for loaning us a monitor.
Fallen trees throughout the floodplain from hurricane winds were evident along our motorboat trip. We encountered 4 fishing boats on the 30 mile stretch of river covered today.
All photos of today’s trip can be viewed here. Thank you clean up crew members: Patrick Madden, Tommy Thompson and Rick Zelznak.
 
 
  
 
 
   
 