BULLHEAD CITY – The City of Bullhead City is teaming up with the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, and Laughlin Tourism Commission to organize a historic community-wide Colorado River Cleanup Day next Tuesday, August 13. The City is challenging everyone to participate.
“It’s been a few years since the City last organized a large-scale cleanup of the river,” said Bullhead City Manager Toby Cotter. “During the next low-flow event from Davis Dam, I’d like to see us put on a historically large event.”
The Bureau of Reclamation will reduce the amount of water released from Davis Dam to half a unit on Tuesday, starting at 3 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. The low-flow event is happening in cooperation with the City of Bullhead City and the Bullhead Pest Abatement District to suppress nuisance caddisfly populations.
“Previous low-flow events have proven to be very effective at reducing the caddisfly population in the City,” said Cotter. “We’re thankful to the Bureau of Reclamation for working with us around power and agriculture needs to find a time to do this.”
Low-flow events present a unique opportunity and access for river cleanup south of the dam. The exposed riverbed and riverbanks make it easier for people on foot to reach places that are normally inaccessible. The City has historically encouraged individuals and groups to take advantage of low-flow events for cleanup and is stepping up those efforts for this event.
“We’re working with the chambers on both sides of the river and the Laughlin Tourism Commission to get as many people as we can involved,” said Cotter. “Let’s show our pride in our community and our beautiful river.
Participation in the efforts can take many forms, including walking the beach and picking up trash alongside a group of coworkers, kayaking along the river banks and cleaning out trash from difficult-to-reach places, or as an individual property owner cleaning the hard-to-reach places on the dock of their own property.
“We encourage creative participation and cooperation,” said Cotter. We’re asking all property owners along the river to take advantage of this opportunity to clean the spaces around their docks and river banks. Caddisfly larvae like to attach themselves to the undersides of boat docks.”
The City also encourages people to participate safely. The river shore’s uneven and slippery surfaces can be difficult to traverse, and the summer heat can be dangerous. Those cleaning up the river should drink plenty of water and wear hats, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear.
Local businesses, civic-minded organizations, and individuals interested in participating in the clean up on the Bullhead City side of the river should contact Casey Lemmons at 928-763-9400 ext. 8500 or clemmons@bullheadcityaz.gov. Those interested in participating in Laughlin are encouraged to reach out to Carrie Larson, Executive Director of the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, at 702-298-2214 or carrie@laughlinchamber.com.
The City will provide water, trash bags, and logistical support to groups and individuals who reach out to coordinate their efforts.
“We have several areas we’ll be working to clean,” said Cotter. “It will be well organized and directed by City staff in Bullhead and the Laughlin Chamber in Laughlin.”
The City also encourages those who participate in the clean-up to share their work online.
“It’s not a historic river cleanup if no one hears about it,” said Bullhead City Public Information Officer Mackenzie Covert. “We want everyone to encourage their friends and family to join them, and we hope they share their pictures of their trash hauls with us online.”
Those participating in the efforts can join the conversation and share their contributions online by using #BullheadRiverCleanup.
