Tennessee River Rescue
Save the Date! October 4th, 2025 - Help us rescue our river and join the longest-running clean-up effort in the Tennessee River Watershed Basin.
Our Impact
In 2023 the Tennessee River Rescue celebrated 35 years!
The 35th Annual Tennessee River Rescue took place on October 7th this year with a turnout of over 1,000 volunteers across six counties in three states all in the Tennessee River Watershed. Volunteers took to the shorelines and waters of the Tennessee River and its tributaries and removed over 10 tons of trash, 130 tires, and ~800 lbs. of bulk items (furniture, appliances, etc.). In addition to this amazing effort, we figure through our outreach and media coverage that over 40,000 people were made aware of the state of our watershed’s litter issues, which is a step in the right direction towards caring for our waters.
1000+
Over 1,000 volunteers
20,000+
pounds of trash collected annually
6+
counties in three states participating
Interested in managing a clean-up Zone?
The Tennessee River Rescue is a community-led initiative run by local Zone Leaders. This event can’t happen without you! We need folks to coordinate and manage the individual clean-up zones across the watershed basin for volunteers to participate in the event. A zone leader can manage a private (only offered to specific folks such as a school, scout troop, or business) zone or one that is open to the general public. For more information, email Brooke@mywaterways.org. Click the link below and check out our current locations for clean-ups.
“
October 2022
“Why is it so successful? Because you are part of something bigger, you are joining with others, seeing immediate results, but more importantly, getting close to the animals you are helping. You see the turtles, herons, kingfishers, and frogs. You are making a difference.”
Christine Bock Hunt, former River Rescue Coordinator.
Quote Source / Read Full Article
Make a Donation to WaterWays
Our mission at WaterWays is to empower individuals to protect and restore the waters where they live, work, and play. We are the not-for-profit organization that coordinates the Tennessee River Rescue, but it is the sponsors and volunteers that make it happen each year. We hope you will consider a donation and be a part of this event to clean up a vital part of what makes the TN River Basin beautiful! We hope you will join us because together we are the solution.
Click the button above or contact Brooke@mywaterways.org for more information.
