Are you helping rescue our river?
The River Rescue was founded over thirty years ago by a group of environmentalists who decided enough was enough. Motivated by the trash lining the Tennessee River, they started a grassroots effort to make a difference in the Scenic City.
Hundreds of volunteers a year across five counties help by donning gloves and litter-grabbers to work the shorelines and remove debris during the annual Tennessee River Rescue around the Chattanooga Region. “It is an event that feels good to be part of, part of an effort by 800 plus volunteers working together to clean up the shorelines of the Tennessee River and its tributaries. Why is it so successful? Because you are part of something bigger, you are joining with others, seeing immediate results, but more importantly, getting close to the animals you are helping. You see the turtles, herons, kingfishers, and frogs. You are making a difference.” Christine Bock Hunt, former River Rescue Coordinator.
After all of these years, the Tennessee River Rescue volunteers are still picking up tons of trash, so what is the impact? Is it helping? Fewer large items like refrigerators are found, but many tires are still dumped in our waterways. Over the years, volunteers have noted a huge increase in plastic items, especially water bottles.
Imagine what our waterways would be like WITHOUT the Tennessee River Rescue. We would be covered up with plastic bottles and cigarette butts. The event also raises awareness about litter, most of which comes from land and then into our creeks and river.
In 2021, local watershed non-profit WaterWays took charge of managing the Tennessee River Rescue. However, this continued effort is still coordinated by community leaders to help protect our source of drinking water during Tennessee River Rescue.
Please email Brooke at brooke@mywaterways.org if you would like to run a zone or bring a group.
Check out our event details page to register and join an existing cleanup site.
AL Gore helped kick off the second Annual Tennessee River Rescue in 1989.
Formed in 1988, this grass roots work is starting to pay dividends, but there will always be a need for this effort. “We have noticed significant declines in the amounts of garbage we are removing from some of the zones,” said event coordinator Christine Bock. “It would be nice to find ourselves out of business one day, but right now that seems like wishful thinking.”
Remembering Where We Began
“In 1988, Earthworks, “All-Purpose Cleaner,” participated in a raft race from Chickamauga Dam to Ross's Landing. The Tox Tug, our trusty vessel built by Prentice Hicks with recycled materials, including hand-crafted oars, came in 2nd through shear determination. Two things dawned on us...
The amount of trash on the shoreline at the launch and the number of disconcerting sores from scrapes or wounds exposed to river water. Inspired by the Mississippi River Revival out of Winona, MN., a dedicated group of Earthworks people and allies met nearly weekly at the River Inn off Suck Creek Road to organize what was hoped to be an annual event 35 years ago.”
- Denny Haldeman, Former River Rescue Coordinator
River Rescue “In the News”
Tennessee River Rescue 30th Anniversary: Chattanooga community unites to clean waterways, tackle city-wide problem (Chattanooga Times-Free Press)
