120 community volunteers clean the Bitterroot River during annual cleanup

On Saturday, Aug. 8, roughly 120 volunteers cleaned more than 100 miles of the Bitterroot River during the annual Bitterroot River Cleanup, hosted by the Bitterroot Water Partnership.

Volunteers cleaned the West Fork, main stem and sections of the East Fork. They collected more than 700 pounds of trash across 50 distinct walking and floating sections. Items included half of a couch, a solar light, large metal shards, dozens of socks, countless cans and pieces of plastic debris, a disheveled picnic table, barbed wire, a mattress and much more.

Removing these items from the river makes it a cleaner and safer place for recreation and wildlife.

“The Bitterroot Water Partnership has had the pleasure of leading this community-driven stewardship event for many years, and each year feels just as meaningful as the last,” said Karissa Mielke, community engagement coordinator with the Water Partnership.

Nearly 60 volunteers gathered to celebrate their cleanup achievements at Fin’s Taphouse in Corvallis, swapping stories from the day.

“The outpouring of attention to our river during this year’s River Cleanup felt especially important as we approach the Bitterroot National Forest’s public comment period for the proposed Sheep Creek mine. To see so many people show up to keep our river clean gives me confidence that we’ll do the same during public comment, which opens Aug. 14. I know this community won’t miss the chance to speak up for our river through public comment,” Mielke said. “The Water Partnership is extremely proud to be a part of this impact.”

Paul Belanger, a River Cleanup volunteer and owner of Bitterroot Alpine Guides, said, “I am grateful to the Bitterroot Water Partnership and its staff for organizing this cleanup. They do such a great job bringing our community together to take care of this special place, and they make it fun! The river gives so much to us every day of the year, so I appreciate the opportunity to give back to the river to help keep it clean and safe.”

The Bitterroot Water Partnership would like to thank the event sponsors: Bitterroot Conservation District, SparkGood of Walmart in Missoula, Bitterroot Disposal, Fin’s Taphouse in Corvallis and Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association for sponsoring the River Cleanup.