Overview

Each year, as a part of Riverfest, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council leads a community wide effort to clean-up the Deschutes River. Beyond picking up trash and pulling noxious weeds, the annual Deschutes River Clean-Up has become a day to connect people with the Deschutes River. Organizations and businesses volunteer to serve as site hosts, each taking charge of the clean-up efforts at their site on the river. Each site host is also responsible for recruiting volunteers.

The day is kicked off at a riverside meeting spot with coffee, pastries and the energy of a group of people ready to work. After some brief safety instructions, information about noxious weeds and a chance to distribute bags and gloves, site hosts begin signing up volunteers. From there, the cleaning begins. A few hours later and the piles of trash are collected.

It is a great pleasure and honor for the watershed council to host this event every year. Truly, the council regards it as one of their favorite days (even if they are working on a Saturday).