17th Annual Upper Occoquan Cleanup

 

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. (rain date October 3, 2026), Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC) is conducting its 17th annual clean-up of the upper Occoquan River, from nine different sites along 25+ miles of the Occoquan River. The cleanup ranges from Cedar Run/Broad Run, through Lake Jackson, and from the base of Lake Jackson Dam to Hooes Run (south of Lake Ridge Marina) and Belmont Bay Community. Stormwater drainages and ponds are not left out during this community water quality awareness event.   

Homeowners’ associations, civic associations, businesses, environmental/cooperative organizations, and student organizations are encouraged to support these efforts to reduce trash  in local waterways and raise community awareness of water quality.

Experienced kayakers, canoeists, Jon boaters, and pontoon boaters are also requested for the on-the-water portion of this conservation effort.   Boaters are expected to put in and take out at the same access point. If you plan to put in and take out at another location, you must make transportation arrangements. No shuttle service is available this year. Interested participants should register at www.pwtsc.org for updates and cancellation information. 

Contact: Bill McCarty (wmccarty@manassaslawyers.com) and Veronica Tangiri at waterquality@pwswcd.org (571-379-7514). 

 For cleanup supplies, data sheets to report cleanup data, or to share pictures, contact: waterquality@pwswcd.org  (571-379-7514)

This massive collection of trash from the Occoquan River happens every year and on the river is the combined effort of the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition, Trash Free Potomac Watershed, Penguin Paddling, Prince William County Parks and Recreation Department and the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District Come on out and help our community. Trash bags, gloves, water and refreshments will be provided to all participants. This is a true on the river cleanup and is done primarily by boat – volunteers with canoes, kayaks or jon boats are needed. The signup has all the launch and take-out locations.

Unfortunately, it is necessary to hold these river cleanups annually. Year after year volunteers clean our roadways, streams, rivers, and streambeds of trash that started as litter and carried along by stormwater and wind into our waterways and parks. Volunteers also remove items that were illegally dumped in the woods or carried by off by storms.