Volunteers sought for cleanup of Savannah River on Oct. 24

Savannah Riverkeeper Inc. is seeking volunteers for its annual Rivers Alive Community Waterway Cleanup, scheduled for Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Waterways earmarked for litter removal include Betty’s Branch, Butler Creek, Euchee Creek, Horse Creek, Jones Creek, Lake Olmstead, Augusta Canal, Raes Creek, Reed Creek, Rocky Creek, Savannah River, and Spirit Creek and others on request. Volunteers will receive an official Rivers Alive T-shirt and a picnic lunch.

Sponsors of the event, in which tons of trash is collected each year, include the ASU Biology Club, Augusta Canal Authority, Columbia County Leisure Services, Columbia County 4H, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Richmond County Recreation Department, Riverwalk & Riverfront Marinas, Sierra Club and Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy.

Waterways often become the final resting place for litter and other garbage, either through littering or simply by hard rains that flush unwanted items into streams and lakes, said Frank Carl, Savannah Riverkeeper’s recently retired director.

“Our streams and the river formed from them are a part of our water resource, providing drinking water, recreational opportunities, a source of food, and even a source of employment,” Dr. Carl said. “We need to maintain our water resource in good condition for the benefit of our neighbors and ourselves.

For information, or to volunteer, contact Dr. Carl, 706-364-5253 or email to frankcarl@knology.net.