Volunteers needed for annual river cleanup - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Volunteers want your help to clean up south Georgia waterways.

Over the weekend, volunteers in Lee County collected 100 pounds of roofing nails someone dumped in a popular swimming spot in the Kinchafoonee Creek.

But cleaning up the creek is nothing new.

The annual Rivers Alive event is coming up.

That clean-up at the Blue Hole was organized because of all the dangerous material dumped there, but soon volunteers will continue their clean-up efforts at the 7th annual River's Alive Event.

The event has grown over the years. But there's always room for more volunteers.

The Kinchafoonee creek has been a favorite swimming spot for years,

"Man we all come out here, it's a chill spot," said Jason Reid, Swimmer.

"It's just too much fun it's a pretty day. We are all out having fun people come out here to swim," said Franklin Faircloth.

But over the years some of our waterways have become polluted with trash and other debris.

"People come out here and don't give a crap they throw stuff, throw beer bottles," said Reid.

The trash not only poses a threat to humans but it's also harmful to fish and wildlife as well.

"I see stuff polluting stuff I see snakes cut up in coke cans and stuff that's not good," said Faircloth.

But thankfully, the rivers and creeks in Georgia are cleaned up every year by volunteers during the Annual River's Alive Event.

"They are natural resources they are not guaranteed to be here forever so its important to take care of it," said Ben Roberts, Lee County Code Enforcement.

It started in 2006 and each year more people step forward and volunteer.

"Since 2006 there has been a little over 11,000 pounds of trash removed from our water ways in Lee County," said Roberts.

Crews pick up everything from beer bottles to household appliances thrown in the water.

"We've found doctor pepper machines, washers and dryers items that big that people obviously didn't want to take to the landfill so they just drop it off in the creek," said Roberts.

It's attracted 400 local volunteers but more are always needed.

"Sure I'm more than willing to help," said Reid.

Volunteers will ride in canoes and clean-up portions of the Kinchafoonee Creek, the Muckalee Creek and a motorized boat will clean up the Flint River.

Organizers want to make sure they have enough canoes, so if you plan to volunteer you need to call the Lee County Chamber of Commerce by Friday.

If you any information about who dumped those nails or anything else into the Kinchafoonee you can contact the Lee County Sheriff's office or Code enforcement.

Check out this story at walb.com for more information on taking part in Rivers Alive.

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