The IWC-sponsored Clear Rivers Team program led by Don Propst held three successful cleanup events during 2006. An awesome aggregation of volunteers helped Don Probst and Don Zeliad remove some unbelievable trash from the Raccoon River. In addition to the usual cans, bottles and traditional litter, trash removed from the river included half-burned redwood patio furniture, part of a children's plastic playhouse, car and truck tires including rims, a rusty automotive fuel tank, part of a farm implement, refrigerators and a water heater.
At the takeout of the Booneville cleanup on May 20, 2006, two ladies who were visiting Walnut Woods State Park watched volunteers as they unloaded their trash-laden boats and hauled the trash up the boat ramp to a dumpster. They could not believe that people would throw such things into a river that supplies their drinking water!
For 2006 the Clean Rivers Team logged more than 113 miles on the river. Total tallies for the season-long cleanup included 98 tires (from car to tractor size) and 5 appliances (refrigs, dishwasher, clothes washer). More than a ton of metal was recycled. One garbage disposal weighed in at 700 pounds. Other garbage disposals were measured at 301 gallons, 3/4 pickup load and 3 1/2 cubic yards. Don's numbers also included 372 gallons of cans, 209 gallons of glass, and 591 gallons of plastic. For perspective trash can liners are normally 30 gallons.
IWC and the Clean Rivers Team thank all cleanup participants, especially Don Wall of Ames. He volunteered at all three public events and was a true cleanup warrior. Special thanks goes out several agencies that provided financial and other support for Clean Rivers Team events: Iowa DNR, Home State Bank, Iowa State Bank, Izaak Walton League, Keep Iowa Beautiful, Metro Waste Authority, North Raccoon Watershed Association, NRCS RC&D Earth Team, Raccoon River Bank and Stine Seed.
A brief tally of various pollutants removed from the river during cleanup events is provided below. You may also click on the images below to view photos of the events.
