American River Cleanup Event Thursday In Sacramento

The American River Parkway Foundation is leading a large clean-up at the Howe Avenue river access from Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in Sacramento.

This winter’s increased snowpack might mean more trash in and along the river.

Near-normal rain and snow this winter helped ease drought conditions in northern California.

But as the snow melts, river levels rise, and that caused some April cleanup events to be postponed.

Chris Aguirre with the American River Parkway Foundation says after four dry years, increased river flow also means more trash and debris.

"We've seen the water where there wasn't water before, over the last four years, and so when that recedes, we find a lot of stuff that gets left behind there," Aguirre says. "So, we'll do a sweep, and clean a lot of that stuff up."

Aguirre says the Howe Avenue river access location is popular. 

"The area gets a lot of traffic, not only from recreational users but also illegal campers," he says. "And so it's important to get out there. We'll have not only the stuff that's left behind from the users, but also the stuff that's swept down from the high flows earlier in the season." 

Some of the trash and debris found along the American River Parkway in Sacramento.  American River Parkway Foundation / Courtesy

Aguirre says more than 100 volunteers will spend about two hours cleaning up the area.

Other clean-up events along the 23-mile Parkway are scheduled through the summer.

Aguirre says volunteers of all ages are welcomed (13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult).

He says the approximate location for the Howe Ave. river access cleanup is 7890 La Riviera Drive.