StreamSweepers - Clinch River Project

08/26/2026

In between all the rain, we were still able to get out and do some work. Pulling another 49 tires weighing 1,140 lbs and 400 lbs of trash from the Clinch River. Bringing our new totals to 82 tires weighing 1,980 lbs and 960lbs of trash!

08/23/2026

StreamSweepers Alex Ward and Erin Wheeler shared the story of this incredible program Saturday evening during Upper Tennessee River Roundtable's Three Cheers for Three Rivers trivia event. Alex and Erin also talked about their current cleanup on the Clinch River in Scott County. Much more work is planned! The evening featured a fun trivia competition led by board member Ed Davis, great music by Ann and Ledgerwood, and lots of yummy food made by the Roundtable's board members. Tumbling Creek Cider Company was the perfect host for the trivia event which took place at their production facility. Many thanks to everyone who made the event a success, including the StreamSweepers and everyone who participated.

08/22/2026

Join us at our fundraiser today to meet these hard working folks who navigate our rivers to clean them up for the benefit of all of us.
We want to officially welcome our fabulous StreamSweepers to Upper Tennessee River Roundtable! Alex Ward and Erin Wheeler officially joined our staff a couple months ago, but they started out as volunteers earlier this year to help us plan the re-launch of this incredibly successful program.
StreamSweepers is successful because of their dedication, and other Sweepers who also worked hard, to cleaning the Clinch River over the past several years. Removing thousands of tires, large debris, and all sorts of litter. We are so grateful to have been gifted this program after the founder Mike Collins passed suddenly last year.
We are so excited for what we can accomplish in the future with Alex and Erin and with the support of extremely generous funders, who will be recognized soon!
Thank you so much, Alex and Erin, for being so patient until we could hire you, and thank you even more for your incredible commitment to improving the water quality of the rivers in Southwest Virginia!
Even if you can't attend this evening, please share this post with your friends. (Three Cheers for Three Rivers at Tumbling Creek's Production Facility, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. See Upper Tennessee River Roundtable page for details.)

08/07/2026

It's been awhile but StreamSweepers is back! While a rainy July has left the Clinch high and muddy, we have only been able to get on the river a handful of times. New section, new challenges, but so far, we have removed 33 tires weighing in at 840lbs and 560lbs of trash and debris. Big thank you to all who make this work possible!

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

Thanks to everyone who helped at the Tazewell Cleanup!!

05/06/2026