2026 Commonwealth Sweep Cleanups

For questions please contact [email protected]

​Four Rivers Basin
Waterway: Ohio River & Tennessee River
City: Paducah, Kentucky
Date: June 6th  
Location: River Discovery Center (https://maps.app.goo.gl/KED6STft3cK7LMgL6) 
Registration & Additional Details: https://forms.gle/m6dZTDXg7pVdn4Ri8 

Licking River Basin
Waterway: Licking River
City: Butler, Kentucky
Date: June 27th  
Location: Butler Community Center (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nZJy7JpG4WupuiHx7) 
Registration & Additional Details: https://forms.gle/GsrzfCg53bBpmPXXA 

Salt River Basin
Waterway: Beargrass Creek
City: Louisville, Kentucky
Date: July 25th  
Location: Cherokee Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/BusAFoMmKcmuAEPJ6) 
Registration & Additional Details: Coming soon! 

Kentucky River Basin
Waterway: Middle Fork Kentucky River
City: Hyden, Kentucky
Date: August 22nd 
Location: Hyden City Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqjqVYWYmWgxqszQA)
Registration & Additional Details: Coming soon! 

Upper Cumberland Basin
Waterway: Lynn Camp Creek
City: Corbin, Kentucky
Date: August 29th  
Location, Registration, & Additional Details: Coming soon! 

Kentucky River Basin (Co-hosted with Friends of Red River)
Waterway: Swift Camp Creek & Wolfe Lake
City: Campton, Kentucky
Date: September 12th 
Location, Registration, & Additional Details: Coming soon! 

Green River Basin
Waterway: South Fork Little Barren River
City:  Sulphur Well, KY 
Date: September 19th 
Location: Sulphur Well Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/WPQU9wAmoLofxGh29) 
Registration & Additional Details: Coming soon! 

​Big Sandy Basin (in partnership with the Friends of the Tug Fork River)
Waterway: Tug Fork River
City: Sprigg, West Virginia
Date: TBD for the “ Tire Tug of War” (August/September)
Location, Registration & Additional Details: Coming soon! 

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Waterway Cleanups

KWA CLEANUP TOOKIT

Waterway cleanups emphasize the connection of one community or neighborhood to another via water, promote healthier environments, and allow for the development of strong relationships through community-based collaboration. Eliminating the waste can lead to cleaner water and reduce threats to wildlife habitat, people, and communities that rely on these water resources for drinking, recreation, and ecosystem services. Conducting cleanups has allowed KWA the opportunity to connect with and communicate our mission with a wide variety of community members across Kentucky. ​

Organize Your Own Cleanup

Cleanup Toolkit
To help plan your own cleanup event, check out our newly expanded and comprehensive 2024 Cleanup Toolkit. This will help you organize your event.  KWA staff are also available as resource if you have questions. 

Why are Waterway Cleanups Important?
Cleaning a waterway not only enhances the natural aesthetic value of the area, but also mitigates the effects of trash contaminating the water and impacts on local communities such as:

• Harm to habitats and wildlife: Trash can smother aquatic vegetation and be mistaken for food, which can lead to death by suffocation, infection, or starvation.
• Pollution of water quality and health risk to humans: Trash can carry pathogens and toxins (microplastics) that can threaten human health and development.
• Community degradation and economic loss: Trash can degrade quality of life in coastal and all communities and impact fishing and maritime industries.
• Greenhouse gas emissions: plastic production and disposal are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and can contribute to environmental degradation over time.