OARS Annual River Cleanup

Today the organization OARS held their 28th Annual River Cleanup.  Folks (and herons) all over the Assabet, Concord, and Sudbury Rivers helped to clean the waterways in their respective communities. 

I trash paddled the impounded portion of the Assabet River (above the Powdermill Dam) in the town of Acton...

The town line with Maynard can be seen in the distance.

While paddling along the shoreline collecting trash from the rocks and bushes, I came across this H.P. Hood milk bottle dated 1931...

Once my boat was fully loaded I returned to shore and began unloading and sorting the trash...

There were 97 recyclable containers (13 redeemable) and 46 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as Styrofoam, plastic bags, nip bottles, basketball, soccer ball, and a plastic tricycle.  YTD = 4561

The 24 containers that would be covered by our Bottle Bill if Question 2 passes are shown here...

While emptying my boat's rear hold, a stowaway was noted...

I've always heard that crayfish in a river or pond are an indicator of good water quality.  Hopefully his presence bodes well for the once degraded impoundment.

Other members of the Acton contingent worked the river downstream of the dam and they removed a good amount of heavy objects from the river...

The old milk bottle cleaned up nicely and awaits the milkman on my stoop...