Communities Across the Ohio River Unite Saturday, October 24 to “Rally the River” for Riverwide Cleanup
ORSANCO and its foundation bring volunteers together from Pittsburgh to Cairo for a coordinated effort to protect the Ohio River
CINCINNATI — Communities along the Ohio River will come together on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon for a riverwide Ohio River Sweep litter cleanup event. Organized by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and its nonprofit foundation, the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE), the event will unite volunteers, businesses, community organizations, and local partners in a shared commitment to a healthier Ohio River.
United by the call to action “Rally the River,” volunteers at approximately 23 designated cleanup locations along the Ohio River will work to remove litter and debris from riverbanks and surrounding areas. The coordinated event marks a special end-of-season celebration of the Ohio River Sweep program and the communities that help sustain it.
Established in 1989, Ohio River Sweep is one of the region’s longest-running riverwide volunteer cleanup initiatives. Throughout the cleanup season, ORSANCO and FORE support communities across the Ohio River Basin by providing supplies and resources for volunteer-led litter cleanups along the Ohio River and its tributaries. The October 24 Rally the River event brings that collective commitment together for a coordinated, end-of-season day of action at locations along the Ohio River, from Pennsylvania to Illinois.
“The Ohio River connects our communities in so many special ways, and caring for it is a responsibility we all share,” said Annette Meagher, communication and outreach director for ORSANCO and executive director of FORE. “Rally the River is about bringing people together across the entire river corridor to make a visible difference. Every volunteer, every cleanup site, and every piece of litter removed contributes to a riverwide movement rooted in community pride and a shared commitment to caring for the river that connects us all.”
The Ohio River serves as a vital drinking water source, economic resource, and recreational destination for millions of people, while also supporting a diverse ecological corridor. Removing litter from its banks helps prevent debris from entering waterways, reduces risks to fish and wildlife, and encourages lasting community stewardship. Although preventing litter at its source remains the ultimate goal, removing existing litter from our waterways continues to be essential. Until litter stops entering the river, Ohio River Sweep will continue to rally communities along the Ohio River and throughout its Basin to take action.
A Riverwide Commitment to a Healthier Watershed
The October 24 event brings together volunteers at cleanup locations along the Ohio River corridor, from the Pittsburgh region to Metropolis, Illinois. Local site coordinators will lead volunteers, provide supplies, and share important safety information before cleanup activities begin. “Ohio River Sweep demonstrates the power of collective action,” Meagher added. “Whether someone is participating for the first time or has been cleaning up the river for decades, their efforts matter. We want every volunteer to leave knowing they have made a meaningful contribution to the health and future of the Ohio River.”
Local Partners Help Get the Job Done
Volunteers are the heart of the Ohio River Sweep program and its success depends on the generosity and collaboration of local businesses, municipalities, community organizations, and partners who support cleanup efforts along the river. From providing equipment and supplies to coordinating litter collection and disposal, these contributions are essential to making volunteer cleanups possible.
Rotary Clubs across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are also joining the October 24 cleanup, demonstrating Rotary International’s commitment to protecting the environment. Environmental protection is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus, emphasizing the conservation of natural resources, protection of freshwater ecosystems, and community-driven environmental stewardship. Through their participation in Ohio River Sweep, local Rotary members are putting that commitment into action, helping protect the river and strengthen the communities it connects.
Cincinnati ToolBank is also providing valuable support for the Cincinnati cleanup locations by supplying additional tools and equipment to help volunteers remove litter along the riverbanks. A nonprofit tool-lending organization, Cincinnati ToolBank equips local nonprofits and community groups with the resources needed to carry out volunteer projects throughout Greater Cincinnati. Since 2012, the organization has supported nearly 40,000 community projects, helping equip more than 392,000 volunteers.
Schack’s Yaks is one partner in the Cincinnati region providing valuable on-the-water support for the October 24 event. Owner Christopher Schack has volunteered the use of their H2Ohio-funded boat to collect litter and debris gathered by volunteers along the Ohio River’s banks during the event and transport it to a designated dumpster located at Schmidt Boat Ramp for proper disposal. “We approach litter cleanup events along the Ohio River with a different perspective. We’re not just cleaning the Ohio River; we’re caring for Cincinnati’s largest outdoor recreational waterway,” said Schack. “Our kayak rental business operates at locations in both Kentucky and Ohio, across different waterways that are all connected by the Ohio River. We’re grateful to H2Ohio and ORSANCO for supporting and organizing programs like this. We’re all connected by water. Let’s keep that connection clean!”
H2Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative, also supports efforts to protect and improve Ohio’s waterways through partnerships focused on pollution prevention, litter cleanup, and environmental restoration. “Protecting Ohio’s waterways requires strong partnerships and people willing to take action,” said Jonathan Horn, H2Ohio Rivers Program Manager with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “ORSANCO’s Ohio River Sweep brings communities together around the shared responsibility of maintaining healthy rivers and clean water. We’re proud to support their efforts to address litter throughout the Ohio River watershed.”
ORSANCO and FORE extend their sincere appreciation to all the volunteers, site coordinators, businesses, community organizations, municipalities, and sponsors whose contributions make Ohio River Sweep possible. Every contribution, whether through volunteer service, financial support, equipment, supplies, or logistical assistance, plays an important role in protecting the Ohio River and strengthening community stewardship throughout the Basin. Ohio River Sweep is made possible by a dedicated network of partners and sponsors, with major funding support from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) through its Recycle Ohio Community and Litter Grant Program. To learn more about the event and view the full list of supporters for this year’s program, visit www.orsanco.org/end-of-season-cleanup-event.
Event Details
What: ORSANCO’s Ohio River Sweep — Rally the River
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.–noon EDT (Please check individual cleanup locations for local event times in other time zones.)
Where: Participating cleanup locations along the Ohio River, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cairo, Illinois
Who: Community volunteers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and river enthusiasts
Registration and Cleanup Locations
Participating cleanup locations in the Greater Cincinnati region include Schmidt Boat Launch Ramp, Gilday Riverside Park Boat Ramp, Sawyer Point and Smale Riverfront Park, New Richmond, and Covington, Kentucky. A complete list of participating locations, along with registration information, is available at www.orsanco.org/end-of-season-cleanup-event.
Volunteers can find a full list of participating cleanup locations and register in advance online. Walk-up volunteers are also welcome at any participating location on the day of the event. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for outdoor activities and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Cleanup supplies will be provided at participating locations. The event will proceed rain or shine unless hazardous weather or unsafe river conditions require changes.
About ORSANCO
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was established in 1948 through an interstate compact to improve and protect the water quality of the Ohio River. Working with its eight member states and federal partners, ORSANCO conducts water quality monitoring, scientific assessments, pollution control coordination, and public outreach to support the protection and beneficial uses of the Ohio River. Learn more at www.orsanco.org.
About the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE)
The Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE) is a 501(c)(3) Type III nonprofit supporting organization of ORSANCO dedicated to connecting communities with the Ohio River through hands-on experiences, environmental stewardship, and opportunities to explore the river’s ecological and economic importance. FORE supports programs that inspire people of all ages to understand, appreciate, and protect the Ohio River and its tributaries. Learn more at www.riverlearning.org.
Media Contacts
Annette Meagher
Communication and Outreach Director, ORSANCO
Executive Director and Board President, FORE
Phone: 513-833-1376
Email: ameagher@orsanco.org
Bethany Miller
Communications & Outreach Coordinator
Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)
bmiller@orsanco.org
C: 937-658-3746
O: 513-231-7719 ext. 101
