On June 20th, 2024, to celebrate West Virginia Day,
volunteers including WVU students, staff, faculty, and broader Morgantown
community collected over 50 bags of trash from the waters, banks, and trails
along the Monongahela River in Morgantown, WV. As part of Ohio River Valley
Water Sanitation Commission’s (ORSANCO) Ohio River Sweep Season, the Three
Rivers Quest (3RQ) Common Waters Program, housed at the West Virginia Water
Research Institute (WVWRI), spearheaded the event, supporting their mission to
preserve and protect the Monongahela, Ohio, and Allegheny Rivers. Ascend WV,
dedicated to promoting the beauty and outdoor recreation of West Virginia,
provided food, drinks, and free kayaks for the event.
Group of volunteers from left to right: Chad Efaw, Sarah
Nelson (WVU Civil Engineering undergraduate), Andrew Stegmann (WVU Natural
Resources undergraduate), Erin Shepta (WVU Natural Resources Science GRA), Emma
Hall (WVU Natural Resources Research Tech), Elise Vuiller (WVU Eberly College
undergraduate), and Daniel Bryan (WVU Natural Resources Research Tech).
Despite the heat, 30 volunteers joined 3RQ and Ascend WV to paddle and walk the Monongahela River, making a huge impact on the Monongahela River and the surrounding ecosystems and community. In total, roughly 1,225 pounds of trash were removed from the area.
Adam Gratton, WVU Natural Resource Economic undergraduate,
picking up litter in front of the Morgantown Lock and Dam.
Chayce Hill, WVU Chemical Engineering undergraduate,
paddling on the Monongahela River during the trash sweep.
3RQ Common Waters would like to extend a thanks to all the wonderful volunteers, as well as ORSANCO for the supplies, Health Right of Morgantown for sharps disposal, the Mon River Trails Conservancy for support and coordination, and the Colcom Foundation’s financial support in upholding environmental sustainability and water resources. Celebrate West Virginia Day every day by cleaning up your favorite creek, river, or walking trail next time you go on an adventure!
From left to right: Brett Ballard (WVU Physics GRA), Nate
DePriest (WVWRI Water Resources Engineer), Eliza Siefert (WVWRI Critical
Materials Water Researcher), and Melissa Shafer (WVWRI Water Research
Scientist) shortly after setting up.
The local art along the Mon River Trails really shines!