OARS 37th Annual SuAsCo Rivers Cleanup, Saturday September 23
SEPTEMBER IS A GREAT MONTH TO CLEAN UP OUR RIVERS!
Our 37th annual cleanup brings together volunteers from across the SuAsCo watershed each year to pick up litter and help maintain put-ins along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. Come volunteer with OARS to participate in the cleanup of our rivers and their banks on foot or by boat via a self-guided Team-Up Cleanup or by joining us on Saturday, September 23rd, for our Cleanup Day!
CLEAN UP EVENTS
![]() | TEAM-UP CLEANUP Create your own team The month of September. You set the date and location! Gather family and friends for a walk or paddle in one of your favorite places near the river. Pick up what trash and recycling you can, photograph it showing the location (selfies welcome), and send OARS this information. |

Registration is required
CLEANUP DAY Saturday, September 23 from 9 AM to noon Join a team of volunteers to tackle sites needing a larger group effort on Saturday. An OARS site leader will be present at each site with supplies—locations will be announced soon. |
CLEANUP DAY LOCATIONS
![]() |
CLEAN UP SITE: Ice House Pond, Acton
https://goo.gl/maps/nbj1Dz6tfU4FE58e6
HOST: Ian Bergemann, Town of Acton
These fast-growing aquatic invasives spread rapidly across the river, reducing biodiversity, harming water quality, and impeding recreation. But with your help, we can remove water chestnuts & help restore Ice House Pond!
This family-friendly, fun event is a great way to explore our watershed, meet new friends, and make a difference for our rivers.

Registration is required
![]() |
ON-FOOT CLEANUP POSTPONED DUE TO RECORD HIGH WATER LEVELS!
WHERE: Acton Canoe Launch, 63 Powder Mill Rd, Acton MA
https://goo.gl/maps/FLpgHQF6LkvEM5Lv6
HOST: Adam Nolde
Parking is limited to 3–4 cars at the put-in. Nearby parking is available at the Stop & Shop plaza at 100 Powder Mill Road. This will be an on-foot cleanup under the bridge, along the shore, walking trails, and in the water. There is a lot of broken glass on the ground to awaiting cleanup!
Wear appropriate clothing for the weather, wading in the water (if you intend to), and to protect against Poison Ivy. Also bring drinking water, snacks, and work gloves.
OARS will provide trash bags and arrange large debris pickup.
ON-FOOT CLEANUP POSTPONED DUE TO RECORD HIGH WATER LEVELS!
PLEASE CONSIDER REGISTERING FOR OUR WATERCHESTNUT PULL AT ICE HOUSE POND
![]() |
CLEANUP PADDLE POSTPONED DUE TO RECORD HIGH WATER LEVELS!
WHERE: Sudbury River in Ashland, including the Brackett Reservoir in Ashland and Framingham. Accessed from DCR property opposite: 19 Chestnut Street, Ashland. There is a mowed area across from the end of Brook Street where you can offload boats and equipment. Park in the bus parking lot on the north side of Brook Street.
https://goo.gl/maps/LYzYo9JSBvSMn63FA
(meet up site is across the road from parking lot pinned above)
HOST: Bill Fadden, faddenwn@aol.com, 508·397·0078
This a bring your own boat, canoe or open kayak is best, paddling trip on the Brackett Reservoir in Ashland and Framingham to clean trash from the shores.
The put-in location is from a steep bank on DCR property. Please come dressed, ready to paddle, get a little dirty, and safely haul trash from the Sudbury River and Brackett Reservoir. . We encourage you to bring water, snacks, work gloves, and clothes you are okay with getting wet and messy, wearing PFD is mandatory. OARS will provide trash bags and arrange large debris pickup.
CLEANUP PADDLE POSTPONED DUE TO RECORD HIGH WATER LEVELS!
PLEASE CONSIDER REGISTERING FOR OUR WATERCHESTNUT PULL AT ICE HOUSE POND
PLEASE NOTE
The rivers are very high. Stay safe by working on trails and the banks. Only enter the water if you are an experienced paddler, and please wear your PDF. Thank you!
USGS River Level Gauge Links
State of MA
USGS | National Water Dashboard
Assabet at Maynard
USGS | Monitoring Station
Sudbury at Saxonville
USGS | Monitoring Station
Concord at Lowell
USGS | Monitoring Station
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE CLEANUP DAY? YOU CAN STILL HELP!
Join our community of supporters in helping restore the health of our 3 Rivers; donate today!
BECOME A RIVER CLEANUP SPONSOR!
We rely on the support of our members, community, and local businesses.
Sponsor Info Pack
Sponsorship package link coming soon


THANK YOU to our 2023 OARS SuAsCo RIVERS CLEANUP SPONSORS & DONORS!
(coming soon)
3 RIVERS CHAMPIONS, $5,000+
![]() |
3 RIVERS GUARDIANS, $2,500–$4,999
3 RIVERS PROTECTORS, $1,000–$2,499
![]() |
Laurel and Kirk Doggett
3 RIVERS DEFENDERS, $500–$999
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Judith Perkins
3 RIVERS ADVOCATES, $250–$499
![]() |
![]() |

Katherine and Robert Beede
Morene Bodner and David Carlisle
Karen and David Gray
Pamela Weathers
3 RIVERS FRIENDS, $75–$249
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Sonia Walters and Stephen Angelini
Michele and Alan Bembenek
Acton Hydro Company
Lisa and Allan Fierce
John Gates
Carol and Brian Parker
Susan and Frederick Seward
Pamela and James Shadley
Jean Keskulla and George Stalker
3 RIVERS ALLIES, $40–$74
Dwight Howe Jr.
Debbie Listernick
Hong Lee and Timothy Murphy
3 RIVERS SUPPORTERS, $1–$30
Catherine Leonard and Thomas Porcher
Gary Marshall