‘The problem is getting worse’: Deschutes River Cleanup volunteers remove record trash haul from the waterway

(Update: Adding video, comments from the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A nonprofit and its many volunteer helpers picked up trash at several locations along the Deschutes River on Saturday, collecting more trash than ever before in nearly three decades of hard work.

The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council held its 28th annual Deschutes River Cleanup on Saturday. 

"The problem is getting worse," UDWC Education Director Kolleen Miller said Sunday. "We're just hoping to educate community members and raise awareness so that the garbage doesn't end up in the river in the first place."

Last year, the operation pulled 2,400 pounds of garbage and weeds out of the river. This year's tally is still being compiled, but organizers said it was a record haul by more than 200 volunteers who got busy at six riverfront sites on Saturday.

"It's such a great event, and it's so wonderful to see people really excited about giving back," Miller said.

People removed many bags of litter and weeds out of the river and sensitive riparian areas at La Pine State Park, Sunriver, Farewell Bend Park, Riverbend Park, the First Street Trail and Tumalo State Park. 

The river cleaners included 16 scuba divers and 40 paddlers, helping divers pull garbage out of the river through Bend's Old Mill District. 

"They did pull out more garbage than ever before," Miller said. "River use has increased dramatically over the years."

The scuba divers also retrieved two guns, which was a surprising find of the day. The guns were still in a gun case, which was then given to the Bend Police Department. 

To make the cleanup possible, the watershed council works with the city of Bend, the Bend Metro Park and Rec District, and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe.

"At the end of the day, it's just a really rewarding way for people to take care of the river," Miller said.

The UDWC's mission is to protect and restore the watersheds of the upper Deschutes River.