The 2009 42nd Operation Clean Stream is scheduled for August 22nd and 23rd.

What is Operation Clean Stream?

Founded in 1967, OPERATION CLEAN STREAM is one of America’s longest and largest ongoing river restoration projects, continuing for 40 years now. The annual event attracts nearly 2,000 volunteers from various age groups and backgrounds, to the Meramec River and its tributaries including the Big, Bourbeuse, Courtois and Huzzah Rivers. Furthermore, agencies and organizations at the local, state and national levels have recognized this program as a key environmental event in the St. Louis Region.

Operation Clean Stream is more than a river cleanup project. The event also serves as a public campaign for educating area citizens on the value of clean water and our responsibility to area rivers and streams.

Basic Info for Volunteers

Volunteers are invited to participate as individuals or with a group. Volunteers can boat, float in canoes or work in shore parties on an assigned section of the Meramec, Big, Bourbeuse, Courtois or Huzzah Rivers. Volunteers should be prepared to work hard and get dirty removing trash, tires and debris of all kinds from the river and river banks. All cleanup supplies are provided.

People of all ages and abilities are welcome, but children must have adequate adult supervision.

To float, you must provide your own canoe. Farther down on this page you will find a list of canoe outfitters that give discounts on rental canoes to Operation Clean Stream participants. If you plan on floating a section of the river to clean, please contact us so that we can put in charge of the organizer of your section of the river. If you do not have a particular section in mind, we can assign you to a section of the river.

On the Day of the Event

Unless you are part of a group that has made its own arrangements, all participants who plan on cleaning up from the shore are asked to check-in at one of the Picnic Sites in the morning beginning at 8:00am. You will receive trash bags, gloves and a free t-shirt and bumper sticker while supplies last. If you do not already have a part of the river you would like to clean, you will be assigned to a section of the river. Dumpsters will be provided at the Picnic Sites for disposal of all trash and debris removed.

Lunch will be provided at the Picnic Sites to all participants beginning in the early afternoon.

Need more info? Contact us!

Picnic Sites: (Click Location for Map)

Arnold City Park, Arnold (Meramec River)

Greentree Park, Kirkwood (Meramec)

George Winter Park, Fenton (Meramec)

Route 66 State Park, Eureka (Meramec)

Meramec State Park, Sullivan (Meramec)

Morse Mill Park, Cedar Hill/Morse, Mill (Big)

Washington State Park, De Soto (Big)

Beaufort Lions Club, Beaufort (Bourbeuse)

River Rats Landing, St. Clair (Meramec)

Ozark Outdoors, Leasburg (Upper Meramec, Huzzah and Courtois) **this group cleans up on SUNDAY

Canoe Outfitters to Contact about canoe rental for Operation Clean Stream:

Ozark Outdoors - Leasburg, MO
573-245-6838

Blue Springs Ranch - Bourbon, MO
contact: Sharon
573-732-5200

Garrison Canoe Rental - Steelville, MO
Contact: Eva
573-775-2410

River Rats Canoe Rental - St. Clair, MO
Contact: Harvey
636-629-3284

Forest 44 Canoe Rental - St. Louis, MO
Contact: Steve
314-255-7091