With that chore wrapped up, it was back to my cave where the year's data was examined.
A total of 7,500 pieces of trash was recovered, and the composition of that trash is as follows:
Recyclable (but not redeemable) containers – 35% (34% in 2010) (32% in 2009)
Recyclable and redeemable containers – 13% (18% in 2010) (23%
in 2009)
Miscellaneous Rubbish – 52% (48% in
2010) (45% in 2009)
SuAsCo Waters (where I most often paddle):
Sudbury River – 24 patrols netted 1558 pieces for an average
of 65 per patrol
Assabet River – 35 patrols netted 1941 pieces for an average
of 55 per patrol
Concord River – 13 patrols netted 570 pieces for an average
of 44 per patrol
Other Rivers (visited more than once):
Merrimack River – 2 patrols netted 1,077 pieces for an
average of 538 per patrol (Hooksett disks)
Mystic River – 2 patrols netted 336 pieces for an average of
168 per patrol
Ipswich River – 7 patrols netted 188 pieces for an average
of 27 per patrol
Shawsheen River – 4 patrols netted 151 pieces for an average
of 38 per patrol
Stony Brook – 2 patrols netted 50 pieces for an average of
25 per patrol
Moose River – 3 patrols netted 20 pieces for an average of 6
per patrol
Tidal Waters (Cape Ann) – 11 patrols netted 124 pieces for
an average of 11 per patrol
Other Rivers (visited one time only):
Charles River – netted 114 pieces
Connecticut River – netted 35 pieces
Millers River – netted 105 pieces
Ware River – netted 22 pieces
Squannacook River – netted 55 pieces
Chipuxet/Worden’s Pond – netted 39 pieces
Lake Cochituate – netted 18 pieces
Lake Quinsigamond – netted 16 pieces
Terrestrial Patrols – 26 patrols netted 1089 pieces for an
average of 42 per patrol
In addition to the usual bottles, cans, and plastic bags recovered,
there were 14 tires, 1 television set, 1 propane cylinder, and 801 Hooksett
disks recovered from the rivers.
Status of Vessels
OK
OK
(but starting to
burn some oil and the bearings are getting a little noisy)
Here are my two favorite photos from the past year. The first is “Sunrise for the Blackburn Challenge” and the second is “Doe with Two Fawns”...
7 comments:
7500 pieces of trash is an amazing effort, and that picture of the deer reminds me of Bambi
Thanks Will and Happy Holidays!
What awesome accomplishments you and collaborators are making. And you keep statistics! I hope you submit that data to some government bodies and get funding for all the hard work you do. You are a riverkeeper extraordinaire! It is sad to see how much trash is in our waterways, but inspiring to have someone like you out there.
Best wishes for the new year.
Thanks BaffinPaddler, Most government agencies down here are stretched pretty thin these days. Their efforts seem to be focused mostly on the highways, parks, etc. Trash in the rivers is mostly recovered by volunteers working with watershed associations or individually.
Imagine you don't see too much trash up your way (near Ottawa) as I've always heard that Ottawa City is one of the cleanest cities in the world. Happy 2012!
Happy New Year Suasco Al. From your work and sharing-Nature Refreshed, People Nourished.
Bernie
Thanks so much for all of your fine work! That breached dam can be tricky sometimes, especially at high water levels. The whitewater further upstream in Maynard poses some challenges too, especially the Mill St. bridge......I've seen many folks flip there. Thanks again......I came across that TV near the Elks Club, but I was late to pick up my kids, so I simply brought it to shore with the intention of getting it later, but you must have beat me to it!
Hi Brooke, Thanks for your comments and the tips about Mill Street, etc.
It must have been someone else that followed up on your retrieval of the television set from the Assabet River near the Elks lot. The TV I got was down on the Concord River near Lowell Rd.
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