Noyo River Clean up

For 8 years, Jeff and I have hosted an on water cleanup of the Noyo River and Harbor as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day.  Usually we have a dozen or so paddlers and rowers.  This year, we had 5.  Despite the small number of participants, we had a huge haul and a fun day.

Jeff Laxier tows a recreational kayak full of garbage picked up in Noyo Harbor.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

Part of our large haul was this floating foam barge.  Each year it keeps breaking up and we have managed to wrangle parts of it out of the water and into the dumpster.  This year, rowers Jim Blanton and Stan Halvorsen and myself went for the whole barge.  Jim and Stan towed as I pushed from behind to get the barge to the ramp to get it off the water.  This was extremely important as the styrofoam is in a serious state of decay.  We picked up hundreds of bits of it on the beach under the Noyo Bridge.  If we would have left it in the river for another year, it would have broken up further and puts thousands of pieces out there.

Traditional Small Craft rowers Stan and Jim towing a barge of trash. Photo by Cate Hawthorne

Styrofoam from the decaying barge. Photo by Jeff Laxier

We didn't get all the foam and trash under the Noyo Bridge. We are planning to head over there this fall to get it better picked up for fall.  If you are interested in joining us, let us know.  We would love to have some company.

The styrofoam barge about to be hauled out of the river. Photo by Cate Hawthorne

If you didn't make our cleanup this year, mark your calendar for the 3rd Saturday of September in 2017.  We will be back at it on the Noyo River.