Yell O-H I-O at the Ohio River Sweep

June 7, 2010 | National River Cleanup, Restoring Rivers

The Ohio River Sweep is not only part of American Rivers' National River Cleanup™, it’s also a celebration!   In some counties, fishing tournaments, pool parties and picnics are all held in conjunction with the River Sweep on June 19.  Prizes are awarded for the person who finds the most unusual item.  This River Sweep stretches across 3,000 river miles and flows through 6 states.  If you're in the Ohio River area, we are sure you will be able to find a Cleanup site near you!

Why is the Ohio River so special?  As the largest tributary to the Mississippi River, the Ohio has been an integral part in American history. In the 1800’s the Ohio River was an important commercial route for crops to be sent to East Coast cities.  This would replace the costly travel over the Appalachian Mountains.  The Iroquois were not kidding when they named it “OYO” or “the great river.”

Since 1989, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) has been coordinating the multi-state Ohio River Sweep on the third Saturday in June and has removed 200,000 tons of trash. Starting in Pennsylvania, the Sweep extends through West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.  More than 21,000 volunteers participated in this project in 2009. 

American Rivers would like to invite you to participate in the Ohio River Sweep “Celebration” on June 19, 2010 by contacting Jeanne Ison by email jison@orsanco.org or visiting www.orsanco.org.

If you would like to host your own cleanup, please visit www.AmericanRivers.org/cleanup or call 1-877-347-7550.

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