7th Annual
Sweep the Hooch
Saturday - April 8, 2017

REGISTRATION CLOSES APRIL 5^th AT NOON

1 Day, Hundreds of Volunteers and TONS of TRASH covering 70 miles of the Chattahoochee River

Register here

Registration opens February 14th!

Sweep the Hooch is an annual day of service to the Chattahoochee River mobilizing volunteers on foot, in waders, or paddlers to remove trash at sites throughout the watershed. Sweep the Hooch brings people together to give back to the mighty river that gives us so much.

Beginning in 2011, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper worked with Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to host the inaugural Sweep the Hooch cleanup. Since then, the event has grown to include numerous local partners, hundreds of volunteers and cleanup sites along more than 70 miles of the river. 

Through Sweep the Hooch since 2011, we have removed 41 TONS of trash with the assistance of almost 3000 volunteers from the Chattahoochee and its tributaries.

We are gearing up for another BIG cleanup this year, on April 8! Although it's obvious to most that river cleanups improve the quality of our water, we’ve discovered that they do much more than that. Cleanups are also a great way to develop a sense of “river community.” This is your chance to volunteer and be part of this community. 

Cleanup locations will take place over 70 river and tributary miles – from Don Carter State Park through the Chattahoochee Recreation Area, and all the way down to Chattahoochee Bend State Park.  Cleanup sites in between include Peachtree Creek, Tanyard Creek, Proctor Creek and more being added each day.

In 2014 580 volunteers removed 7.275 tons of river refuse with more than half ton of trash recycled. That's 14,500 pounds!!! 

2017 VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS 
Volunteers are labeled Walkers, Waders, and Paddlers. Each site has a capacity and will close once we reach that capacity – so register early!

 Walkers are land-based volunteers who will pick up trash and perform trail maintenance. At some sites, walkers will specifically target invasive non-native vegetation (such as privet). 

Waders are volunteers equipped with waders or wading boots and are needed at select sites. These volunteers will collect trash from the shallow water areas, and from areas on the river bank which are accessed most easily from the river and streamside trails. Volunteers must provide their own waders. 

Paddlers will utilize kayaks/canoes/SUPs and travel between 3-5 miles per segment. These crafts are useful in collecting debris from portions of the river that cannot be accessed from the land side. Volunteers must provide their own kayaks and/or canoes. Boats are not available on-site.  Need to rent? Click here to view a list of local outfitters.

To learn more about the locations, click here to view a map of the entire CRNRA. 

Directions to NPS Park Units, click here

TEAMS. We welcome teams, but all volunteers must register individually. During the registration process, you can enter your Team Name. 

Child/Youth Participation: We welcome children, but they must be supervised at all times by an adult. Although a cleanup is not normally dangerous, it can be to an unattended child. Walkers/Waders: Must be at least 10 years old. Paddlers: If paddling solo, paddler must be at least 10 years old. If paddling tandem, youth must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old.

Each participant is required to sign the CRK Liablity Waiver. Click here to read the CRK Liability Waiver. This form will be authorized as an electronic signature during the registration process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Sponsorship – If interested in sponsoring this event, pleaseneed view our sponsor packet - or contact Tammy Bates at tbates@ucriverkeeper.org or Becca Klein at bklein@chattahoochee.org or (404) 352-9828, ext. 19.