James River cleanup June 11

David · Post by **David** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:33 pm

Ralph White, director of James River Park in Richmond, is organizing a river cleanup for Saturday June 11 and would like Coastals to take the lead on scouring the banks, brush piles, and eddies for trash for haulout.

I spoke with Ralph today and he would like three crews: 1. Reedy Creek to First Break 2. Z-Dam and Williams Island 3. Huguenot flatwater putin back up to foot of Bosher Dam.

Please consider taking some time and lending your boat and boating talents to this worthy effort. Watch this thread for more info as the plan develops.

David · Post by **David** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:13 pm

I have talked with Ralph White and Greg Velzy and they would specifically like Coastals to take on the James River section from Reedy Creek putin down to the first dam. Ralph is particularly interested in having us scour the river right part of the dam - the dam section above the usually dry section river right of Belle Isle.

This is a big event covering a lot of the James watershed both upstream, through, and downstream from Richmond. The organizer-in-chief is James River Advisory Council JRAC) with help from James River Association (JRA.)

Here is the JRAC website for the event:

http://www.jamesriveradvisorycouncil.co ... leanup.htm

Canoes, so useless in so many situations, are very useful here because of their barge-like qualities. But kayakers can gather trash as well. Please commit to this event so Coastals can make a clean sweep of our designated area. Post here or PM, and register on the JRAC website.

The cleanup is scheduled to run from 9am to 1pm. We will see how long it takes us and we will work out a food arrangement and then paddle downtown in early afternoon. I expect the level will be 4.22'. Water temperature will be perfect. Air temps going from 68 in the morning to an afternoon high of 87. Some clouds but no rain.

Nutter · Post by **Nutter** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:00 pm

I am in!! I figured I can tow a boat behind me and just fill it full of trash. it might be nice to have a dumping site on land where we can just ferry back and forth to dump bags

jeep4me99 · Post by **jeep4me99** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:27 pm

Wish I could be there..but I'll be heading out for vacation that day.

David · Post by **David** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:34 am

Nutter wrote:I am in!! I figured I can tow a boat behind me and just fill it full of trash. it might be nice to have a dumping site on land where we can just ferry back and forth to dump bags

Thanks for the support! We will get the details worked out for an efficient and thorough cleanup.

Montster · Post by **Montster** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:25 pm

I have been doing this for years. Just let them know at Reedy Creek you will be dropping off bags at the top of the Island.

Not to wise to run Hollywood with a boat full of trash!

Another area that can be a mess is river left just below the Dam and upstream of Dominion. Lots of debris can collect there. Some time it is pretty clean other years it is a mess. Depends upon the last high water event.

TerryLRK · Post by **TerryLRK** » Fri May 13, 2011 11:50 am

It's on my calendar. Be careful about calling canoes useless.

I like the advance weather and hydrologic reports.

David · Post by **David** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:18 pm

I just found out there will be lunch provided for those members of the cleanup crew who register at the JRAC (James River advisory Council) website:

http://www.jamesriveradvisorycouncil.co ... leanup.htm

The plan is to meet at Reedy by 9am Saturday June 11 with boats, gear, sunscreen, gloves, and clothing and bug repellant so you need not fear getting in a brushy area.

Let's run trips both downtown and from Pony Pasture afterwards.

Please register with JRAC and post here that you are coming. We want all Coastals and Coastals website readers around Richmond to come out and thoroughly scour the area. We will work south of Belle Isle along the dam river right of First Break, then deposit the bags on Belle Isle just below First Break.

I was just kidding about canoes being useless. Canoes bring happiness and can usually hold more stuff than a kayak. You have a better view of the water ahead and canoes are easier to get into and out of than a kayak. If it were not for that big hole in the top of canoes and the fact that canoe paddles have only half as many blades as kayak paddles more people would paddle canoes.

Warren B · Post by **Warren B** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:32 am

See y'all there!

Post by **GinnyN** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:01 pm

and don't forget that Martha is looking for Coastals to help clean up Pony Pasture to Reedy Creek on June 11. Greg Velez has offered to meet us at Reedy at 8:00 and shuttle us and our boats up to Pony Pasture. Let her know if anyone wants to do this section. Thanks.

http://www.coastals.org/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=

PrimaryColors · Post by **PrimaryColors** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:20 am

I'll bring my barge.

Paul

TerryLRK · Post by **TerryLRK** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 1:12 pm

Need more info on shuttle arrangements. I volunteered to join Coastals group for Reedy Creek and below, but I'm flexible. Who else is going where? I saw the post about meeting at 8:00 for shuttle to Pony Pastures....that's a tad early....

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:21 pm

To clean from Reedy to First Break:

We will focus on the dam to river right of Belle Isle.

Be at Reedy Creek lot 8:45. Level is now 4.23'. Temp will be 80 at 9 warming to 89 by 12. Bring gloves & water and a canoe or rec kayak if you have one, but whitewater kayaks can be made to work. Long sleeves and pants might be good protection.

Would like to paddle downtown after cleanup.

The James River thanks you.

TerryLRK · Post by **TerryLRK** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:55 pm

Hi, David,

thanks for your reply. Late Fri afternoon I arranged to meet Greg at Pony Pastures at 8:45 to cleanup on the Upper, so don't look for me at Reedy. I also hope to run the LJ after lunch...but will have to fetch my kayak which will be at Pony Pastures, so not sure if the logistics will work out with others' schedules.....sorry, I just need that extra hour of sleep to recuperate from a tough week!

PrimaryColors · Post by **PrimaryColors** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:23 am

Floodwall testing on Mayo Bridge Sat (South) and Sun (North) 9-4. Might have to detour. Just a heads up.

Paul

Coastals