RIVER CLEANUP IMPACT
We celebrate the Yellowstone River Cleanup annually on the second Saturday of September. Each year we have more volunteers join us on this project (on the river float or shore based teams), which shows us just how much our community cares about this resource. In the past 17 years we have removed and recycled more than 158,000 lbs of metal (equivalent to 45 cars). In total we have removed more than 230,000 lbs of trash and 1,109 tires. Our area of coverage is now Reed Point to the Bighorn River, near Custer, Montana.
We believe that the cumulative impact of our annual cleanup is significant. Come join us next year and see for yourself.
In 2021 we started special targeted projects to clean up problem areas. We focused on sites with easy public river access such as, Two Moon Park, River Front Park, Norm's Island, Mystic and Coulson Parks. Our newest partners who we call "Jack and the Smoke Jumpers" (a group of retired smoke jumpers) provided much of the muscle to get this work done. With some new battery operated hand tools they chopped up many car frames and hauled pieces out by wheelbarrow.
Tires - Our focus on tires is not just out of an aesthetic concern, though that is important if we want Montana to remain known as a great place for outdoor recreation. A recent paper in Science (Tien et al. 2020) found that tire micro particles and old degrading tires contain a compound called 6PPD. This chemical is used to prevent oxidation in tires, but is now known to be toxic to fish. We have removed over 1,000 tires and located more than 10 mining tires that weigh over 3,500 lbs. We have yet to determine a way to remove these enormous tires from the river and prevent people from throwing them into the river.
We are particularly interested in working with private landowners to help them remove what we call "legacy trash." We could also use help from people with heavy equipment and/or jet boats to shuttle and remove items.
We believe that the cumulative impact of our annual cleanup is significant. Come join us next year and see for yourself.
In 2021 we started special targeted projects to clean up problem areas. We focused on sites with easy public river access such as, Two Moon Park, River Front Park, Norm's Island, Mystic and Coulson Parks. Our newest partners who we call "Jack and the Smoke Jumpers" (a group of retired smoke jumpers) provided much of the muscle to get this work done. With some new battery operated hand tools they chopped up many car frames and hauled pieces out by wheelbarrow.
Tires - Our focus on tires is not just out of an aesthetic concern, though that is important if we want Montana to remain known as a great place for outdoor recreation. A recent paper in Science (Tien et al. 2020) found that tire micro particles and old degrading tires contain a compound called 6PPD. This chemical is used to prevent oxidation in tires, but is now known to be toxic to fish. We have removed over 1,000 tires and located more than 10 mining tires that weigh over 3,500 lbs. We have yet to determine a way to remove these enormous tires from the river and prevent people from throwing them into the river.
We are particularly interested in working with private landowners to help them remove what we call "legacy trash." We could also use help from people with heavy equipment and/or jet boats to shuttle and remove items.
RIVER CLEANUP HISTORY
RMC students prepare to load tires recovered from the muddy river bank into a drift boat.
Photo: Luke Ward.
The annual river cleanup began in 2007 with just six participants. It has since grown to include environmental program students at Rocky Mountain College, as well as volunteers from many other groups in our community. This cleanup targets a stretch of river that takes us through the heart of our community in Billings and is popular with many river users. In 2021 we started special project areas.
The River Cleanup operates through RMC's Yellowstone River Research Center. Statistics for the last few years can be found below. More detailed reports are available. Since 2021 the summary includes the annual float day plus additional special project days.
The River Cleanup operates through RMC's Yellowstone River Research Center. Statistics for the last few years can be found below. More detailed reports are available. Since 2021 the summary includes the annual float day plus additional special project days.
River Cleanup Year |
Trash to Landfill (lbs) |
Recycled Material (lbs. mostly metal) |
Other Tires Removed |
Turtle Research Team Tires |
Total Weight (lbs) |
# of Volunteers |
Value of Volunteer Hours |
2016 |
1,620 |
6,650 |
18 |
9 |
8,270 |
77 |
$12,713.68 |
2017 |
995 |
5,570 |
21 |
11 |
6,565 |
61 |
$13,450.89 |
2018 |
4,680 |
9,034 |
4 |
27 |
13,714 |
57 |
$12,618.44 |
2019 |
2,790 |
7,865 |
8 |
31 |
10,655 |
64 |
$14,154.17 |
2020 |
5,685 |
6,799 |
23 |
45 |
12,484 |
51 |
$9,674.71 |
2021 |
7,099 |
19,644 |
27 |
73 |
26,743 |
67 |
$16,952 |
2022 |
6,825 |
28,698 |
39 |
88 |
35,523 |
70 |
$28,602 |
2023 |
31,402 |
18,961 |
17 |
373 |
50,422 |
74 |
$35,616 |
Totals |
71,721 |
158,830 |
446 |
663 |
230,551 |
838 |
$214,283 |
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2023 Primary Sponsors (Bedrock level)
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2023 MAIN STEM SPONSORS
2023 Tributary and Headwater Sponsors Sponsors
Undammed Distilling Co., Pita Pit, Our Montana, Scheels Sports, Schnitzer Steel,
Bright N’ Beautiful
Bright N’ Beautiful
SUPPORT THE RIVER CLEANUP
Cleanup crew at the half-way point on a wet Saturday.
We can’t do this without your support. We are looking for sponsors in the range of ($150-$25,000). Funds are used to help support the volunteer team and purchase needed equipment for the cleanup project and other Yellowstone River Research Center projects.
All sponsors will be recognized in any PR.
We have previously had TV and Billings Gazette coverage and website stories.
**click to read 2013 Gazette Article
**click to read 2014 Gazette Article
**click to read 2016 Gazette Article
**click to see 2021 short video and Gazette Story
**click to see 2022 Gazette photos
Lunch Break at the Blue Creek Access.
