See A Tire + Report A Tire: Identifying Tire Pollution in Kentucky Waterways

Project Purpose and Background
Tires don’t belong in waterways. Kentucky Waterways Alliance is taking a stand against tire pollution in waterways across the commonwealth. Tires leach toxic pollution into waterways and are indicators of larger issues including environmental health, public health, pollution, illegal dumping, and neglected waterways.
Through the Report A Tire Project, KWA and our partners are mapping tires in and near waterways throughout the Green River Basin and other Kentucky watersheds. Mapped tires will be used to identify where tires accumulate in waterways, and help target future tire removal projects. Tire Reports will also be used to develop additional tools to help remove and track tire pollution throughout the rest of the Commonwealth.

​Get Involved
The best way to help is by using the KWA Report A Tire tool! Whether you are hiking, fishing, paddling, boating, or simply enjoying Kentucky’s amazing network of waterways, if you see a tire, report a tire!
Your report: Maps it, Supports Prevention

• Maps tire and other pollution
• Support funding and policy action

Scan the QR Code in the image to the left or follow the link here to report a tire today.

• Report A Tire Tool: A free, mobile online tool for reporting tires in or near waterways across the state. 
• Tire Dashboard: A free online one-stop shop for utilizing reported tire locations across Kentucky.
• Have questions about how to use the Report A Tire Tool? Download KWA’s free Report A Tire Field Guide for more information on reporting with or without cellular service, pro-tips, and step by step instructions. ​

Coming Soon!

• Green River Access Map: A free, mobile friendly, online map with information on river access points along the Green River.
• Tire Risk Assessment Model: A model for mapping and estimating where tires are likely to accumulate in Kentucky waterways based on Report A Tire mapping reports

The project is supported by funding from US Fish and Wildlife.
The views and conclusions contained in this webpage are those of the authors
and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S.
Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute
their endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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2026 Ohio River Way Challenge Tire Report:
​Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Ohio River Way Partnership 

Read the 2026 KWA/oHio River Way Challenge Tire report here

Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) and the Ohio River Way (ORW) entered into a partnership agreement which focused on the use of KWA’s Report A Tire Tool during the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge. Through this partnership KWA became a sponsor for the ORW Challenge and provided use of the Report A Tire Tool as well as instructional resources for paddler use during the Challenge. In return, ORW utilized the Report A Tire Tool throughout their journey specifically reporting waste tires, large debris, and debris fields. 
Read the report here.
ORW Paddle Challenge
Dates: May 10-23; Sept. 4-13
Route: Kenova, WV-Louisville, KY; Louisville, KY-Evansville, IN
Total River Miles: 289 completed; 189.5 to go
About: The Ohio River Way Challenge is an annual canoe expedition to raise awareness for Ohio River recreation, tourism, and restoration. Held in 26- and 30-foot voyageur canoes provided by collaborators Paddle Perry and River City Paddle Sports, a volunteer crew of 30 common adventurers paddle anywhere from 15-35 miles on Ohio River each day.  Accompanying the canoes is the Challenge’s “Floating Laboratory,” a multidisciplinary research hub aboard a 55-foot houseboat lent and captained by volunteers. Undergraduate and graduate students lead participatory science initiatives–including collaborating with Kentucky Waterways Alliance to document tire pollution–and conduct independent research on ecology, environmental science, and local history.