Volunteers Remove Over 32 Tons of Trash from Chattahoochee River

Annual cleanup event draws 1,400 participants across 15 counties

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:10pm

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Volunteers cleaned over 32 tons of garbage out of the Chattahoochee River during the 16th annual 'Sweep the Hooch' project, according to the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Roughly 1,400 volunteers showed up for the event to clean up the drinking water source, organizers said. Of the more than 64,380 pounds of trash, over 5,000 pounds was dumped tires.

Why it matters

The Chattahoochee River is a vital drinking water source for many communities in Georgia, and events like Sweep the Hooch help keep the river clean and healthy for both wildlife and human use. Removing tons of trash, including harmful items like tires, helps protect the local ecosystem.

The details

Participants set out on foot, spanning 15 counties, starting at the river's headwaters in north Georgia and ending in Columbus. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization coordinates the annual cleanup event.

  • The 16th annual 'Sweep the Hooch' project took place on March 26, 2026.
  • Sweep the Hooch will return for the 17th year on Saturday, March 20, 2027.

The players

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

The organization that coordinates the annual Sweep the Hooch cleanup event.

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The takeaway

The Sweep the Hooch event demonstrates the power of community-driven efforts to protect and preserve vital natural resources like the Chattahoochee River. By mobilizing hundreds of volunteers each year, the cleanup helps keep this important drinking water source clean and healthy for the long term.