Missouri River Cleanup

Each May, volunteers gather in Yankton’s Riverside Park for one of the largest community efforts to clean up the Missouri River. This event typically brings together around 100 volunteers ranging from 5 to over 70 years old! Since 2005, volunteers have removed more than 100 tons of trash from the Missouri River between Gavins Point Dam and areas downriver of Yankton.

During the cleanup, volunteers work alongside federal and state agencies, the City of Yankton, and other partner organizations to collect litter and debris from islands and shorelines along the MNRR. Many volunteers head out onto the river on boats to access remote cleanup areas while others remain on land to clean up Riverside Park, Paddlewheel Point, and the Auld Brokaw Trail along Marne Creek.

The result? A healthier river, a fun day spent with friends and family taking care of our community, and a safer, cleaner place for everyone to enjoy and recreate.