This was our first time cleaning up the Missouri River just downstream of the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro area. We partnered with Fontenelle Forest to tackle mounds of trash deposited by the 2011 flood along the Manawa Bend.
The event, sponsored by Back to the River, was part of "The Great Big Muddy Meet Up" - a Missouri River Clean-up on Saturday, followed by an interactive education day on Sunday for the whole family called "Learn About the Mighty Missouri".
Agency boats from the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped shuttle 168 volunteers in the moist heat and swarms of mosquitos to help us remove 5.5 TONS of junk from the river! We initially thought it would weigh in at around 10 tons, but if you check out the trash tally, there was boatload, after boatload of large Styrofoam blocks filling our dumpsters.
Thanks to all of our amazing Sponsors! None of this would happen without dedicated sponsors, who donate cash, supplies and hard work to keep this river clean-up project humming.
Check out our collection of photos from the day~! There might just be one of YOU!
139 Bags of Trash!
and...
88 Tires
80 Chunks of Styrofoam
3 Coolers &1 Lid
11 – 5 Gallon Buckets
1 – 55 Gallon Metal Barrel
1 Plastic Jug
1 Small Metal Drum
16 – 55 Gallon Plastic Barrels
2 Plastic Bins
1 Orange Long Hose
1 Gas Tank
1 Metal Motor
1 White Tube
1 Trash Can
1 Refrigerator
1 Metal Freezer Door
2 Large Propane Tanks
14 Small Propane Tanks
2 Vinyl Doors
1 Fishing Pole
4 Wood Pallets
2 Long Boards
1 Dock
1 Bunch of Construction Mesh
1 Mattress
1 Box spring
1 Couch
1 Dresser
1 Desk
10 Pieces of Metal
1 T-Post
1 Broom Handle
10 Chunks of Plastic
1 Blanket
1 Picnic Table
1 Rubber Hose
1 Refrigerator Door
1 Time Machine
1 Dog House
1 Pesticide Jug
1 Metal Frame
2 Air Tanks
1 Metal Boat Trailer
2 Truck Fuel Tanks
2 Plastic Bumpers
1 Roll of Flashing
1 Construction Hose
2 Doors
1 Can of Paint
1 Porcelain Toilet
1 Window Frame
1 Little Tiny Wooden Door
4 Wood Pieces
1 Chimney Flue
2 Plastic Poles
Orange PVC
2 Florescent Bulbs
1 Electric Box off a Dock
1 Large Pool Liner
1 Spoon
1 Kiddies’ Pool
1 German/Dutch Wooden Sign
4 Small Pieces of Metal
2 Pieces Sheet Metal
1 Buoy
3 Dock Cover Poles
1 Piece Framework
1 Antique Gas Car
1 Outdoor Swing Frame
1 Television
1 Life Vest
1 Shower
1 Jug of Waste Oil
1 Chemical Spray Tank
3 Bottles of Various Hazardous Waste
Some Length of Marine Rope
1 Boat Seat Cushion
3 Small Buckets
4 Rubbermaid Totes
3 Balls
Mess of Wet Carpet
1 Mysterious Metal Box
1 Van Seat
2 Giant Tractor Tires
1 Refrigerator
1 Bone
Unique looking jar
Formed Blue Blob
2 Green Bottles
2 White Bottles
1 Brick
1 Bullet
1 Arrow
1 Mailbox
1 Old beer can
1 Windshield Wiper
1 Pair Sunglasses
1 Vacuum Hose
1 Tie Down
Weirdest Trash:
Time Machine
Best Animal Find:
Fish Body
Biggest Trash:
A Port-a-potty, discovered at Mile Marker 640
Oldest Trash:
Spray Can
Best Muddy Ball:
A super muddy basketball
Most likely to be used as a Weapon:
Arrow
Most Artistic Trash:
Cool glass block
Most Fashionable Trash:
Power Wheel
Most Useful Trash:
Porcelain Toilet
Media:
Total Volunteers: 168
Total Trash Tonnage: 5.5 tons
Groups Participating: Missouri River Relief Crew, Back to the River, Fontenelle Forest, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Izaak Walton League, Pacific Life Insurance, Apple Store, Americorps, 4H Imagination Creation Club, Stratcom, AFWA, Mighty Stream Team 211, Offutt Air Force Base, University of Omaha
Fun Team Names: Dream Team, The Excursioners, Heggeman Construction, River Junkies, Pallid Sturgeon, The Trash Boat, The Twerps, River Racoons, The Whales, The Gingers, Team Whelan, Omaha Swans, The Crowbars
Bridgestone "One Team One Planet"
Iowa Department of Transportation
Lake Manawa State Park - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
Pottawattamie County Conservation
Remelt Industries
UNO Outdoor Venture Center
Sierra Club
Green Bellevue
Henry Doorly Zoo
Heron Haven
Backwoods
Local Motive Food Truck
Brickway Brewery