Suitcase, Sheet Metal Removed from Cherokee Waters

Dozens of volunteers joined forces last month to hold two Rivers Alive clean-ups in Cherokee County. 

On Oct. 12th, 55 volunteers descended onto Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock to collect 39 bags of trash, as well as larger items that included 18 tires, a stop sign, a tent, sheet metal, car parts, a suitcase and a fish trap, said Lori Forrester, environmental affairs specialist with Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority. 

On Oct. 26, 20 volunteers gathered at Boling Park in Canton to remove 70 bags of trash, as well as three pair of snow skis, three tents, a box spring, an office chair, a sofa, 2 cribs, a car door and 2 tires, Forrester added. 

The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad held a drug take-back initiative during the time of the clean up in canton, and collected seven pounds of old, unused medications for proper disposal.

"The stream banks and surrounding area of Little River and the Etowah River are cleaner and healthier due to the efforts of the volunteers in Cherokee County," Forrester said. 

The World Water Monitoring Challenge and Georgia Adopt-A-Stream programs were both highlighted at the river clean-ups, and two sites were monitored for the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. 

Along with CCWSA, the clean-ups were sponsored by Rivers Alive, the cities of Canton, Holly Springs and Woodstock, Upper Etowah River Alliance, Cherokee County Stormwater Management,Cherokee County School District and Waste Management.

"We look forward to more successful river clean-ups in Fall 2014," Forrester added.

Another clean up is set for Friday, Nov. 15 in which volunteers will come together and remove trash and debris from Canton Creek.

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