Volunteers Needed to Clean Occoquan River –The water supply for most Eastern Prince William & Fairfax Counties

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. (rain date October 3, 2026), Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC), a 501(c)3 organization, is conducting its 17th annual clean-up of the upper Occoquan River, from nine different sites along 25+ miles of the Occoquan River. The cleanup ranges from Cedar Run/Broad Run through Lake Jackson, from the base of Lake Jackson Dam to Hooes Run (south of Lake Ridge Marina), and to Belmont Bay Community. Stormwater drainages and ponds are not left out during this community water quality awareness event.  

From 2022 to 2025, over 300 volunteers on both water and land collected over 10,600 pounds of trash, putting in over 930 hours of volunteer time

Homeowners’ associations, civic associations, businesses, environmental/cooperative organizations, and student organizations are encouraged to support these trash-reduction efforts in local waterways and raise community awareness of water quality.

Experienced kayakers, canoeists, Jon boaters, and pontoon boaters are also requested for the on-the-water portion of this conservation effort. 

 Boaters are expected to put in and take out at the same access point. If you plan to put in and take out at another location, you must make transportation arrangements. No shuttle service is available this year. 
The cleanup on land will take place at the commuter lot and stormwater pond at the intersection of Old Bridge Road and Minnieville Rd, in Lake Ridge.  An additional cleanup location is the nearby stormwater pond at the intersection of Mayflower Dr and Clipper Dr.

Interested participants should register at www.pwtsc.org for updates and cancellation information.