DNR riverboat volunteers clean up Mississippi River flood debris Wednesday morning
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Adopt-a-River Program will host the 21st year of a Mississippi riverboat cleanup with Padelford Packet Boat Company and Conservation Corps Minnesota, in partnership with Upper River Services.
This event is open to registered volunteers and is supported by area businesses, agencies and other organizations.
About 120 volunteers will remove garbage along the Mississippi River that has been deposited by recent heavy rains that have caused localized flooding.
The garbage includes tires, barrels, bottles, boat parts, cans, chunks of foam plastic and occasionally furniture. Removing garbage improves conditions for those who depend upon or enjoy the river, whether they are humans, fish or other aquatic life. The trash arrives from storm sewers and washed-in debris from many miles upstream.
Prizes will be awarded to volunteers who, in the opinion of the boat’s captain, find the best trash.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13, from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cleanup is taking place along the Mississippi River south of downtown St. Paul.
WHAT CAMERAS WILL SEE:
• About 120 volunteers boarding the riverboat at Harriet Island and dispersing into the muddy riverbank woods, ready to remove flood trash.
• The riverboat traveling on the Mississippi River between Harriet Island and the Wakota (I-494) bridge in South St. Paul.
Volunteers combing riverbank forests for accumulations of high-water trash, including large items that have drifted into the woods over time.
• Blue herons, bald eagles and other waterfowl in flight.
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