FAQS (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

2022 DOWN THE RIVER CLEANUP

OF THE CLACKAMAS WATER TRAIL (22 MILE LOWER CLACKAMAS RIVER) 

Question

Answer
Does everyone have to register? Yes! And it is free.
NOTE: This is a Bring your Own Boat (or SUP or SCUBA gear) event, and you are responsible for arranging a shuttle.
Do I have to sign a liability form? Yes all participants must sign the liability waivers with SOLVE and We Love Clean Rivers to participate. You will be sent these forms 2-4 days prior to the event, and they are posted on the event website. To help speed up registration please have these forms filled out prior to the event or email the signed PDFs to info@welovecleanrivers.org. Those under 18 years of age must be noted on the waivers of their parent or guardian.
How old do you have to be to participate in the event? Open to all ages, but we recommend 13+. All children 17 and younger must be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
What if I need to cancel? Just email info@welovecleanrivers.org. Thx!
What if I already registered and would like to change something can I? Just email info@welovecleanrivers.org, or text/call event organizer Matt Taylor (541-921-0316). Thx!
Can I do the cleanup solo in my own boat? Yes! And you won’t be alone because all paddlers will be in groups.
What time should we be there? See Updated Volunteer Schedule Details on the website.
What do we do with bottles and cans full of liquids Dump out bottles and cans filled with drinks in a plant zone away from the river. Containers filled with river water can be emptied out (sometimes just in case wildlife is inside. Suspected hazardous fluids (oil, gas, pesticides, etc.) keep in container and put container into a garbage bag (will be sorted at end).
What do we provide for volunteers? Gloves, bags for recycling, trash, garbage pickers.
Will we get an email specific to our role? Yes, we will send out an email to you and your group specific to your role.
What is protocol around houseless folks (and their stuff on the river)? Health and Human Services suggests only to clean up obviously abandoned campsites.
How clean is the Clackamas? Pretty clean actually!
Many of us swim in it frequently (short of drinking the water directly, swimming is the real test of clean rivers).
Where does all the garbage go? Working with Clackamas County – Transportation & Development, Sustainability & Solid Waste
Can I bring my pet? Yes, as long as you follow all of the leash laws in the parks.
What if I want to participate in the event but do not want to be on the river? There are a number of on-water roles
Sorters: volunteers to greet the paddlers at the take outs and help them unload and sort trash and recyclables
Registration: volunteers to check in other volunteers and point them towards parking, equipment needed, and to provide information
What if I want to be assigned a specific stretch of the river? Sign up! You can choose your sections.
Shuttling options? Please make sure to arrange YOUR OWN SHUTTLE beforehand.
For anyone not able to find a shuttle, please fill out the Shuttle Request form.
Parking is free at each of the parks for registered volunteers.
Should you bring a hook or net to pick up trash? You do not need to bring nets or anything (although you can bring what you are most comfortable with if you have those things). We have a number of garbage pickers, lots of latex gloves and work gloves, and various containers for all the types of trash we might find.
Are helmets required (it says it’s required in the safety checklist)? It is at the boater’s discretion, but we generally recommend helmets for closed-deck boaters when they go down anything Class II or above. With few exceptions (see map), there are very few Class II rapids on the Lower Clackamas.
What about compost and other organic material we find? Compost taken home by staff and volunteers!
What time should we arrive? See Updated Volunteer Schedule Details on the website.
How do we put things into the Garbage Scow? Carefully. Sometimes kayakers waive down the scow; sometimes they come to it to offload stuff; sometimes they point to a bag they filled that needs to be picked up. For sharp or really gross things, we have 5 gallon buckets.
Where is the Cookout afterwards? Picnic area 1, with overflow to Picnic area 2. We will have all the parking and lots of signage.
When will I receive more information about the event? Week of and even the day before.
What does Class 1 and 2 mean rapids mean? Class I Rapids represent fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.
Class II Rapids are usually straightforward with wide, clear channels and are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated “Class II+”.