The Deschutes River is one of the biggest stars of summer providing opportunities to float, surf, paddle board, fish and more! For the past 29 years, volunteers have provided the TLC needed to help keep the river healthy. About 250 volunteers are needed this year for the annual cleanup on Saturday, June 28.
There are six different sites on the Deschutes River where volunteers will pull invasive weeds and remove litter from stream banks while paddlers and scuba divers will remove debris from the river channel. The six sites are LaPine State Park, Sunriver, Farewell Bend Park, Riverbend Park, First Street Trail and Tumalo State Park.
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council coordinates the cleanup every year. Education and Development Director Kolleen Miller says in the past they’ve removed a canoe, wood stove, a safe, several wedding rings and thousands of flip flops. Last year volunteers found two guns still in their gun case, which they handed over to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Last year, volunteers removed more than 2,000 pounds of garbage and weeds.
“The riparian areas (or streambanks) are really the last line of defense to protect the water quality in the river,” Miller told the Source. “When riparian areas are thriving with native vegetation instead of non-native plants and invasive weeds, the root systems of the native plants can stabilize the streambank soils and prevent erosion.” It also provides wildlife habitat and food as well as shade to cool stream temperatures.
“The Deschutes River Cleanup is a critically important opportunity for community members to volunteer their time, educate themselves or donate to support our work to take care of the river we all love,” Miller says. “The Deschutes River cleanup is an awesome way to come out, learn about the Deschutes River, meet like-minded river folks and celebrate the incredible place we get to call home.”
This article appears in Source Weekly June 5, 2025.
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