BR Water Forum ‘Cleans Up’ – With Your Help

The Bitter Root Water Forum is serious about keeping the Bitterroot River clean of trash. And they are not alone. They recently received a donation of 5,000 red "Clean Up All Year" bags from Bitterroot Disposal. The bag stands (see photo above) are located along the river in the Bitterroot Valley, at fishing access sites and other places, including guide shops.

The Bitter Root Water Forum is getting ready for their annual River Clean-up, too. Individuals and groups sign-up to clean parts of 155-mile-long river - including the East Fork from Sula and the West Fork from Painted Rocks Dam. You can walk along the riverbanks or float your section to grab trash that has been left in the waterway. Then, on August 14th, you can drop your trash at a big dumpster at Hamilton's Kiwanis River Park, where there will be a community celebration with the music of the group Pinegrass, along with some local food trucks. Drop the trash off between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and fun prizes for participants (like most unusual thing found in the river) will be awarded at 7:30 p.m.

Now, the evening before the Clean-up Day is the "Run For The River" 5K run/walk from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The route starts and ends at the Kiwanis River Park and much of the route is on unpaved surfaces through the streamside parks. Children 10 and Under will have a Splish Splash Dash at 6:45 p.m. at the park. The run for folks older than that starts at 7 p.m. and registration is $40. You can sign up at their website. And keep the river clean!