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Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) and SOLVE have officially launched the 2026 Waterway Cleanup Series, continuing their long-standing partnership to protect rivers, streams, and waterways through community-powered cleanup events across the region.
Now in its ninth year, the seasonal initiative brings together volunteers to remove litter from shorelines, parks, and natural areas before it can wash into local waterways and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.
The series kicked off on May 6 with a cleanup at Meldrum Bar Park and Dahl Beach in Gladstone, where 22 volunteers removed more than 250 pounds of litter from the area. Alongside commonly found waste like plastic packaging and cigarette butts, volunteers also pulled two tires, a shopping cart, and a pair of boots from the landscape.
Located along the Willamette River, Meldrum Bar Park, and Dahl Beach are popular destinations for paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, and summer recreation. Keeping these spaces clean helps protect aquatic ecosystems while ensuring they remain welcoming and accessible for the community.
Trash left on streets, trails, parks, and riverbanks often travels through storm drains and runoff systems into nearby creeks and rivers. Once in the water, litter can harm wildlife, pollute waterways, and degrade habitat throughout the watershed. Community cleanups play an important role in preventing pollution before it spreads downstream.
SOLVE and WES are encouraging individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups to participate in upcoming cleanup events or organize their own local efforts this season. Cleanup supplies, volunteer support, and event guidance are provided to help communities take action in the places they care about most.
The Waterway Cleanup Series will continue throughout the summer and conclude with a wrap-up cleanup event on September 16 at High Rocks Park in Gladstone along the Clackamas River.
In 2025, more than 1,700 volunteers participated in 60 cleanup events, removing over 31,000 pounds of litter from 19 waterways. Organizers hope to build on that momentum throughout the 2026 season.>
Get Involved:
Explore upcoming events or learn how to organize your own waterway cleanup!
