Mon River Sweep brings community together to clean Monongahela River

Volunteers met at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park in Monongalia County for the third annual Mon River Sweep, organized by Ascend West Virginia and the West Virginia Water Research Institute at WVU to remove trash from the Monongahela River.

Volunteers gathered at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park in Monongalia County on Saturday for the Mon River Sweep. The event was held with Earth Day approaching and brought together community members, environmental groups and local organizations. Organizers included Ascend West Virginia and the West Virginia Water Research Institute at West Virginia University. This was the third year the sweep has been held. Event details: - Volunteers worked to remove trash and debris from the Monongahela River and nearby tributaries. - The sweep was organized by Ascend West Virginia and the West Virginia Water Research Institute at WVU. - The event included free kayaks and canoes for participants to use on the water. - A representative noted that an aluminum can can take about 200 to 500 years to biodegrade. - During the 2025 Mon River Sweep, volunteers collected more than three tons of trash. Summary: The sweep sought to improve the river's appearance and to help protect local wildlife and water quality while connecting people with the outdoor environment. Undetermined at this time.