Float For A Cause
The Clackamas River is one of the most easily accessible rivers in the Portland Metro Area. Its cool clean water and swift current are an ideal respite on a hot summer day.
Recreation on the Clackamas has increased in recent years. And with that comes in increase in trash, popped floaties, lost flip flops, bottles, cans and more.
But there is a really fun way you can both enjoy the river AND give back.
Please join us for the 2026 Down the Clackamas River Cleanup!
On September 12th, 2026 the Clackamas River Basin Council and We Love Clean Rivers will bring volunteers together for the Down the Clackamas River Cleanup, an annual effort to remove litter from the river and its surrounding shoreline. You can join nearly 200 other volunteers for a chance to spend a day outside, meet other people who care about the river, and leave the watershed better than you found it.
Who
The Clackamas River Basin Council, We Love Clean Rivers, and volunteers – like you!
What
The Down the River Cleanup on the Clackamas is the largest and longest-running on-water cleanup event in Oregon. After we clean the river, we gather at Barton Park for a BBQ celebration.
When
Saturday, September 12 from 9 am – 4 pm
Where
There are four sections to choose from (Milo McIver to Barton Park, Barton Park to Carver Park, Carver Park to Riverside Park, Riverside Park to Clackamette Park). There will also be a NO FLOAT / ON LAND option at the Clackamette Cove.
Why
More than two decades ago, an “explosion of trash” on the river was the impetus for the event. Trash on the river threatens not only the river’s scenic beauty, but it also harms fish and wildlife and impairs drinking water quality.
About the Down the Clackamas River Cleanup
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy floating down the Clackamas River while also joining your community in removing litter and debris that accumulate over the busy summer season. Consider these achievements:
- An entire 22-mile stretch of the Clackamas River from Estacada to the confluence with the Willamette River in Oregon Cityhas been cleaned up annually for over 20 years.
- Each year an average of 200 volunteers rally in canoes, rafts, kayaks, SUPs, SCUBA gear, drift boats and other safe vessels to scour the stream bed and banks for trash, collecting an average of 2 tons each year.
- Since 2003, over 48 tons of garbage, equal to the weight of the largest gray whales — has been removed from the Clackamas River by more than 5,000 volunteers.
- Each cleanup provides a free BBQ for all volunteers, complete with music, a raffle, and a silent auction.
From Recreation to Stewardship
The River Ambassadors we featured earlier this summer have shown us that caring for the river doesn’t have to be separate from recreation. Picking up litter during a float, even just a few pieces, can become part of the experience.
The Down the Clackamas River Cleanup takes that idea one step further.
For one day, volunteers across the watershed come together to tackle litter that has accumulated along the river and its banks. What might seem like one piece of trash to one person becomes a very different picture when hundreds of people work together. 
Call out box: 
Every piece of trash counts! A bottle left on the beach, a piece of fishing line caught in a branch, or a forgotten food container. It may seem like a small amount, but it adds up!
Explore the Clackamas Before You Clean It
If you’ve spent time on the Clackamas, you know that every section of the river has its own character.
Before the cleanup, use the Clackamas Water Trail’s interactive map to explore the river and get familiar with the places you’re helping protect. The map can help you understand the different sections of the river, locate access points, and see how the river connects the communities and recreation areas along its length.
You can even use the map to plan a future adventure. Maybe the stretch of river you discover during the cleanup will become your next paddling or floating destination.
Knowing a place makes it easier to appreciate it. And appreciating a place is often the first step toward wanting to protect it.
What to know before you go
Even a seasoned paddler can use a little preparation to make the day easier. Use the Clackamas Water Trail to learn more about the river and how to recreate responsibly. The site’s Safety & River Etiquette information provides helpful reminders for anyone spending time on or around the water, while the Low-Impact Recreation resources offer ideas for minimizing your impact while enjoying the river.
If you’re bringing children or someone who hasn’t spent much time around rivers, take some time before the event to talk about river safety and staying aware of changing conditions.
And don’t forget to dress for the weather, bring water and food, and be prepared to spend the day outside.
Most importantly, bring your PFD (life vest)!
REGISTER HERE!
Sponsor Shoutout!
Thank you to all of our amazing partners and sponsors who make this event possible!
Want to do more?
The Clackamas River Basin Council is a nonprofit watershed council that works with partners and communities to restore and protect the Clackamas River watershed. Visit clackamasriver.org to learn about water-quality programs, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.
Thank you for caring
The Clackamas River is undoubtedly an irreplaceable environmental treasure for all living creatures in the basin, thank you for your care and dedication to keeping it clean and pristine.
About the Author:
Dakota Hufford is the Outreach & Stewardship Coordinator for the Clackamas River Basin Council (CRBC).
All photos used were taken by Dakota or she has obtained permissions.
