Duck River cleanup sees progress over time

Wayne Bomar and State Sen. Jim Tracy set off in Bomar's boat to check on volunteers cleaning up the Duck River on Saturday. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Order this photo]

When the Duck River Clean-Up project first began 12 years ago, Wayne Bomar said he couldn't travel 200 feet on his river boat without seeing trash that needed to be cleaned up. On Saturday, Bomar covered a two-mile stretch of the Duck River without seeing trash.

"Gradually, we're gaining the consciousness levels of people," Bomar said. "But it's a slow process."

More than 200 volunteers gathered Saturday, June 27 at Riverwalk Park in Shelbyville for this year's project.

James Brandon of the Bedford County Rescue Unit puts tires he and his crew found lying near the Duck into a designated trash pick up pile. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"People take this river for granted," State Sen. Jim Tracy said. "They don't realize how important it is for the city and the county."

Heat doesn't stop workers

Those that came out in the scorching heat Saturday morning showed their concern for the Duck by taking clean-up assignments from Bomar beginning at 7:30 a.m. Bomar said the project covered an area from Normandy Dam to Hopkins Bridge.

Many folks focused on cleaning the 17 access points to the river. About 25 boats, five more than last year, were used to clean the stretches in between the access points.

Bomar and Tracy monitored the clean-up on Bomar's boat, taking note how much progress has been made over the years. One year, Bomar said, they cleared away 12 tons of trash. Last year, they only hauled off three tons, proving the clean-up efforts are working.

"That's what I like to see," said an enthusiastic Bomar as he waved to a family helping out for their first time this year. "Those are new faces."

Diverse group

Volunteers ranged from individuals and families to organizations, including a group of men from the Tony Rice Center, a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. This year was their third year to help with the clean-up.

"They really enjoy this and they feel like they're giving something back," said Tim Lokey, of the Tony Rice Center. "This helps with their recovery process because it makes them feel useful."

Largest force

Several new folks, like this family, came out to help for the first time this year. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Helen Garner, who joined forces with Bomar 10 years ago in organizing the clean-up project, said she believed there were more volunteers out this year than ever before.

"The river is a lifeline in Bedford County," said Garner. "We are trying our best to help the situation."

Garner said the Duck received bad press in the past for people having dumped things into it.

Volunteers carried all the trash they could to a destination at Riverwalk Park. That trash will be picked up and disposed of properly on Monday by the Shelbyville Street Department. The city and county will pick up the rest of the trash piles next week that couldn't be hauled to the destination site.

Many other volunteers, led by Garner, stayed back to man refreshments. They had breakfast laid out for folks to enjoy prior to the clean-up and lunch ready upon the conclusion of the morning. Much of the food was donated by various local eateries.

Peaceful place

Bomar said he tries to take the ladies who man the food tent out for a boat ride each year.

"I've heard the ladies say, 'I didn't realize how beautiful (the Duck River) was,'" Bomar said. "You could go a lot of places and not be as peaceful as this right now."

As a man approached Bomar's boat in a kayak, the local attorney explained recreation, such as kayaking, fishing, and swimming, is another great benefit of the Duck.

About the Duck

More than 50 miles of the river run through Bedford County, providing drinking water for all its inhabitants.

The waterway originates above Manchester and travels more than 260 miles through seven counties, including Bedford, before finally emptying into the Tennessee River.

It is the longest river located entirely within Tennessee, and is home to more than 50 species of freshwater mussels and 162 species of fish. Bomar said there are more species of fish in the Duck River than there are in all of Europe.

The Duck is the most bio-diverse river in North America, Bomar said.

In total, the Duck River watershed provides water, beauty and recreation to more than 250,000 people.

Through the clean-up efforts, and through users of the Duck being more aware of its importance, Bomar is optimistic about the river's future.

"The river is much, much cleaner than it has been, and that's good news," he said.