News : RIVER R.A.T.S. hope for high water for August 2013 clean-up day

The River R.A.T.S. hope the water rises enough for a clean-up day in August, 2013.

Without the aid of a crystal ball to peek into our future, I am going to choose the direction of an optimist, and believe that our weather patterns will improve enough to allow for a 2013 Cedar River Clean Up.

Save the date of Saturday, August 3, now, and please continue to watch our local publications for more information.

Due to lack of snowmelt from the 2011 winter and the severe drought the summer of 2012 brought us, we, unfortunately, had to cancel the clean up that had been planned for August 11th this year. The Cedar just does not have enough water for the majority of our volunteers to navigate from point to point safely.

There were many negatives that occurred because of the weather conditions, brown/dead grass, low crop yields, burn bans, fish kills, buckled roads, high energy bills and a general lack of being able to enjoy being outside in such extreme heat. Another negative, perhaps less noticeable to most, is the alarming amount of debris that is visible on the banks and the bed of our Cedar River. Much of this has been there for years, and is only now visible because it is above the water level. There is a wooden spool below the 150 bridge, there is a bicycle below the Fire Station, there is a farm implement north of Dudgeon, and the list goes on. There is metal, glass, plastics and Styrofoam everywhere…

To date, the Cedar River R.A.T.S. and their faithful volunteers have partnered with County and City departments and conducted 4 very successful Cedar clean ups, and now, it’s more important than ever to start planning our 5th project for 2013. There are several ways in which a person/family can help…you can be on the water picking/pulling debris, you can be on the banks @ the drop off points to help unload the boats, you can transport vehicles from the start point to the end point, you can help prepare lunch….and more.

Please plan to join us, Saturday August 3, 2013 and feel free to call now with any questions, at 319-558-7476.