Down the River Cleanup, Clackamas Water Trail, Oregon

On Sunday, September 7th, 2025, volunteers will gather for the 22nd Anniversary of the Down the River Cleanup on Oregon’s Clackamas River. Hosted by We Love Clean Rivers and the Clackamas River Basin Council, the event invites boaters and river lovers to join in removing trash, recyclables, and other oddities from one of the most beautiful stretches of urban river in America.

The Down the River Cleanup is the longest-running on-the-water cleanup of its kind in Oregon. Since 2003, more than 4,500 volunteers have removed over 40 tons of garbage—well over the approximate weight of one gray whale—from the Clackamas River.

Starting in the morning, volunteers in canoes, kayaks, rafts, drift boats, or with SCUBA or snorkel gear will set out from public launches to clean one of four sections of the Clackamas Water Trail. Cleanups end just after noon, followed by a cookout celebration and thank you at Barton County Park. The event wraps up at 4 p.m.

The Clackamas Water Trail covers the 22-mile undammed lower section of the Clackamas River, with dozens of Class I riffles and a few Class II rapids. The river provides drinking water for more than 300,000 Oregonians, critical habitat for endangered salmon, and recreation for thousands each year. The Clackamas River is named for the Clackamas (Tlakamas) people, who from time immemorial have called this watershed home and remain strongly connected to the river today.

The Clean Up is free and open to all ages (youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). All registered volunteers will receive parking passes, cleanup bags, litter-picking equipment (gloves and grabbers), and lunch at the Barton Park cookout. Register online until Friday, September 5, 2025.