The 15th Annual Down the River Clean Up on Sunday, September 10th, marks 15 years of safeguarding clean drinking water and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and the quality of life for those who live, work and recreate in the watershed. This year’s trash sweep at the end of the summer recreation season will cover a 20+ mile stretch of the Clackamas River from Estacada to the confluence with the Willamette River in Oregon City.
Pre-registration is required at:
http://www.welovecleanrivers.org/clackamas-down-the-river-clean-up-sep/
Down the River Clean Up is the largest and longest-running on-water cleanup event of its kind in Oregon, co-hosted by local non-profits — the Clackamas River Basin Council and We Love Clean Rivers. Each year approximately 200-300 volunteers rally together in rafts, kayaks, drift boats, and SCUBA gear to scour the streambed and banks for trash, collecting an average of 2-3 tons – over half of which is recycled. Since 2003, over 34 tons of garbage — the approximate weight of one gray whale — has been removed from the Clackamas River by more than 3,000 volunteers.
Community members are encouraged to float and fill the boat! Keeping the Clackamas clean will help preserve and protect the health of this beautiful and bountiful river that provides fresh drinking water to over 300,000 Oregonians (10% of the Oregon population!) and is home to old-growth forests, endangered species, and one of the last remaining wild salmon runs in the lower Columbia Basin.
Everyone is encouraged to join the event. All non-motorized paddle crafts may participate and launch at one of four parks: Milo McIver State Park – Lower Boat Ramp, Barton Park, Carver Boat Ramp, and Riverside Park between 7:30 am – 9:30 am (volunteers must arrange their own car shuttles!). Boaters must have Class II+ whitewater experience and wear a life jacket. Space on a boat is available for those without access to their own. On-water and on-land volunteer opportunities are available. SCUBA and free divers are also welcome.
All volunteers are invited to a free BBQ at Barton Park from 2:00 – 5:00pm featuring local food and drink from 3 Guys Grilling of Damascus, Drinking Horse Brewery, and Happy Mountain Kombucha, as well as prizes for the most interesting trash brought in!
Event sponsors include Clackamas River Water Providers, eNRG Kayaking, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Metro, Clackamas SWCD, Clackamas County, American Medical Response, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, City of Oregon City, Department of Environmental Quality, SOLVE, NW Steelheaders, Wild Spirit River Company, Drinking Horse Brewery, Happy Mountain Kombucha, Joe’s Donuts, and KIND Bars.
For more information, visit www.welovecleanrivers.org.