Lehigh River: Walnutport (21-Sept-2016)

Out for a short paddle down the Lehigh River and up the Lehigh Canal. Started and ended this trip at a park in Walnutport. I worked on this section a few times earlier this year and wanted to see what it is like now. Without much rain the river is still running low and I thought this section might be somewhat difficult. 

On my last trips I stuck to the left side of the river. This time I paddled right across and worked my way down river right. Luckily the water was a little deeper on the right side of the river.

The trash collecting started off slow. Only a few bottles to start and the tv above was my first and only larger item of the day. The screen was broken and I only took the plastic shell. I did not feel comfortable paddling with the large shards of glass from the screen nor the rusty metal piece that was left behind when I took the shell. With the broken glass there is too much of a chance my bags will be cut and I do not want to loose any of the trash I remove from the river while paddling. 

I found it! Just under the surface of the water is a blue truck cap. Last year it was up river just below Lehigh Gap. This year I hadn't seen it and had wondered where it had gone. I don't know what to do with larger items like this. I am sure if I left it by a dumpster or a trash can at a riverside park, the park probably wouldn't be that happy in having to dispose of it. Until I can come up for someplace for it to go, it has to stay in the river. I honestly don't even know if I could remove it by myself either. 

A few of the smaller plastic items picked up from the right bank. I don't often find six pack rings. I made sure to break all of the rings before putting it in the trash bag. I don't know what the tubing was for. Only about a foot section was visible and when I pulled on it, it just kept coming. 

I got out for a couple jugs and other plastic items and when I sat back in my kayak I noticed this on the river bottom. Anyone need a slightly used umbrella? 

Stopped at the top of an island I have worked on before. On previous trips I picked through debris piles on the lower end of the island that were just packed full of trash. This time I explored the upper and mid sections of the island. 

Starting off I found a lot of beer and other cans. The way some of them were placed it was clear that these were not wash down, but that someone had a party here. There was also a diaper, this too did not look like it had washed down the river. I keep finding more and more diapers in places that people really should not be taking babies to.

In the mid section of the island it was mostly older items. I did my best to pick through, however I know I didn't get everything. 

The first pile from the island. The diaper was the only thing in the black bag that came from the island. 

Went back to the middle of the island and worked on it some more after loading up the other trash and moving my boat to a more secure location. On the left is what I think is an old plastic rim from the front of a child's tricycle. On the right a piece of a bucket in a tree. 

I couldn't take a bag with me into the interior of the island, too many thorns and other things that could possibly tear it. Instead I improvised and used the broken bucket to collect and haul things out. 

The second pile from this island. By this point it was getting late in the day and although I didn't go far I knew I needed to get back and I still had the canal to paddle. I sorted the recyclables out and loaded everything into the boat. 

There was a take out right across the channel so I walked the kayak across and hauled everything up to the canal side. 

When I got up to the canal I was very happy I didn't go any further. Work is currently being done on the lock here and the canal below it is drained. It would have taken me forever to drag my kayak back the canal path had I kept going down the river. 

Above the lock the canal was at normal levels and I had no problem paddling up it. Along the sides I did pick up a good amount of trash. This section of canal was really a mess. I think it looked worse this time than my last couple paddles through. Many plastic bags and recyclable items. 

Found some older stuff too. On the left a round bottomed 2-liter bottle and on the right a pull tab can.

Next to the one public dock there were lots of bait containers. There is no reason for this at all, trash cans are not far away from this location. 

Back at the park I hauled my kayak out of the canal then drug it to the parking lot. The hull was also full of recyclables. 

The was everything, a tv shell, a full bag on non-recyclables and a bunch of bottles and cans. Non-recyclables went in a dumpster and the rest was loaded into and onto my car. A lot of trash for a short trip.
You too can help with taking out the trash! If you get out hiking take a grocery bag with you, give it a second use and fill it with trash while you are out! Every bit helps. You can also help contributing to this project here: Help Fund Taking Out the Trash

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