Everything from hot water heaters to insulation was pulled out of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers Saturday, during the first of two volunteer cleanup efforts for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
A second event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the Big Spring area, removing debris from significant flooding over the past year, as well as other trash.
Park service staff will meet at 9 a.m. at the Peavine Pavilion near the Big Spring campground, said Dena Matteson, chief of interpretation, planning and partnerships. The public is welcome to participate, she said.
Volunteers provided nearly 200 hours of service Saturday at Big Spring and Eminence, during the event held with the Ozark Heritage Project.
"The volunteers picked up trash by hand, and also hauled many loads by boat to the Big Spring landing," Matteson said.
Volunteers Pauline and Mike Reed have participated in these cleanup efforts for the past three years.
"It's all about the next generation," said Pauline Reed, 65. "We use the river, not as much as we used to, but our grandchildren do, our children do. It's to preserve the cleanliness of the water."
Flooding dumped a lot of trash into the rivers, said Reed, who has witnessed four major high water events since she came to Van Buren in the early 1980s.
The Reeds found two well house tanks, an entire window frames, many electrical sockets, sewer lines and couch cushions in the area by the boat landing at Big Spring.
About 20 volunteers participated Saturday, said Matteson, adding a light dusting of snow may have discouraged some individuals.
Lunch for the event was provided by the Ozark Heritage Project and volunteer Reta Barkley.
"It was encouraging to see folks from Eminence, Summersville and Wappapello who drove down to contribute their time and energy," said Matteson, who thanked everyone who worked to make the Saturday cleanup a success.
Anyone who would like additional information about participating Friday can contact volunteer coordinator Dawn White at (573) 323-4945.