Great American Clean-Up on the Tennessee River

Communities and organizations up and down the Tennessee River will be hosting river events during the 2020 Great American Clean-Up, which runs from March 19 through the end of June. This event is the largest organized community improvement event in the nation, serving towns, parks, and now rivers. We are proud that our river has the first river based KAB affiliate, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful in the US.

The Tennessee River Valley watershed is made up of forty six reservoirs and thousands of miles of shorelines, streams, and rivers. From headwaters to tailwaters, keeping the waterways healthy and free of unsightly litter takes a huge volunteer effort. The net impact of these efforts is protecting the habitats of native species, while enhancing recreational opportunities on the river for locals and visitors.

Want to get involved in a waterway clean-up? There are many events already scheduled needing volunteers:

Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful: Each year, the non-profit organization partners with Living Lands and Waters to host a “Grand Slam Clean Up.” This year, events are scheduled for Pickwick Lake, Kentucky Lake at Land Between the Lakes, Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, TN and the Clinch River in Oak Ridge.

Keep Athens-Limestone (AL) Beautiful annually hosts a Trash Attack and Waterway Clean-up to help keep the shorelines of the Tennessee and Elk Rivers clean, along with the roadways. Blowing trash from roadways is one of the largest contributors to waterway trash issues. Athens-Limestone litter coordinator, Lynne invites paddlers to experience the beauty of their blueways and to help the organization by practicing Leave No Trace principles while on the river and at the boat launches.

Keep Cocke County (TN) Beautiful was well represented at the State of Tennessee kick-off for the Great American Clean-up. Cocke County’s Sheriff Armando Fontes provided the keynote speech to the Tennessee KAB affiliates. Sheriff Fontes’s presentation included the 3 “e’s” of litter prevention- Engage, Educate, and Enforce. Keep Cocke County Beautiful will be working on both Douglas Lake and the Pigeon River in March and April respectively.

Sometimes groups come together organically. Two examples are the Cherokee Lake Users Group and the Norris Lake Project. Both of these organizations are grass roots organizations that bring together volunteers who are invested in caring for their lakes. Each group have events scheduled in March.

Of course, the other hero of the Tennessee River is TVA. Charged with a mission in 1933 to be good stewards of the lands and waters entrusted to them, TVA has been a tireless partner with grassroots organizations such as the above listed projects across the Valley. Without their generous support, the capacity of these groups would be lessened.

If you live, play, or work along the river, you already know that trash has a negative impact on the beauty of that community. Be a voluntourist. Explore, Engage, Act. #DoBeautifulThings. #TVAFun.