Welcome to the City of Fishers White River Cleanup Steward Program. Trash, debris, and pollutants in the White River do not stay in one spot forever: it all moves on to other rivers, lakes, and streams. Even the harmful chemicals found in trash, debris, and pollutants present dangers to all forms of aquatic life. Cleaning up our rivers prevents pollution like plastic waste from reaching our oceans. 80% of plastic waste is carried to oceans via small rivers and streams that flow through densely populated urban areas. Plastic in our waterways can get entangled with wildlife or can sometimes look like food to them. Do your part by becoming a White River Cleanup Steward and help minimize downstream pollution.
This is an on-demand cleanup program to remove trash from the White River. The trash drop off location for this program is at the 116th Street Bridge Landing at the west end of Wahpihani Drive and is designated on the map shown below. The City will monitor the trash drop location and remove trash from the site on a regular basis, but we will not be present at the time of your arrival. You are allowed to drop off any kind of trash that you find that you can fit within your boat or trash bag. Typical types of trash include tires, polystyrene, paper, metals, plastics, chairs, tarps, signs, etc. The program has two options per below depending on whether you have your own boat or need to rent one:
1. Existing Boat Owners: If you have your own canoe, kayak, or fishing boat and want to participate in the program, simply launch your boat at your own preferred location, pick up trash along the way, and drop off the trash at the 116th Street Bridge Landing near the trash drop location that will be marked by a White River Cleanup Steward Program Trash Drop Off Sign. The City will monitor the trash drop location and remove trash from the site on a regular basis. You will be responsible for your own boat launching, transportation, etc.
2. Boat Renters: If you don’t own a boat and need to rent one, please go to the following White River Canoe Company (WRCC) link HERE for boat rental availability through the program. The boat rental program will be available in August and September on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays subject to availability through the WRCC link. The cost per person for a canoe will be $20 and will be paid for by the City as long as you are a Fishers resident and you show up for your scheduled trip (you will have to put down the $20 deposit per person on a personal credit card to reserve the boat/trip but you won’t be charged if you show up for your reservation). However, if you don’t show up for your reservation or don't properly cancel your reservation per the WRCC cancellation policy, you will be charged the deposit by the WRCC, and you won’t be reimbursed by the City.
There is a minimum registration number of 8 people and a maximum number of 12 people for this program (2 people per canoe). Boat renters will park at the White River Canoe Company Livery at 17180 River Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 based upon your scheduled departure day. Your departure time will be 9:00 am from the Livery (please arrive 15 minutes early to give ample time for parking and registration). Then, simply float down the river and collect trash within trash bags or the boat and drop off the trash at the 116th Street Bridge Landing trash drop location that will be marked with a White River Cleanup Steward Program Trash Drop Off Sign per the map below. This will also be your trip endpoint. After removing all the trash from your boat, wait for the WRCC to arrive to load your boat and shuttle you back up to the Livery. You are responsible for the boat until the canoe company has arrived to receive it. The City will monitor the trash drop location and remove trash from the site on a regular basis. Please make sure to remove all trash from the boat and to keep the boat as clean as possible to be respectful of the WRCC equipment. We are thankful to the WRCC and the Hamilton County Highway Department for their partnerships with this program. Please be aware this is a 9.8 mile canoe trip so be prepared for a long day. The approximate float time is 4.5 hours.
How to get involved: If you would like to participate in the White River Cleanup Steward program, please click the blue "respond" button for this opportunity. Amy Crell, City of Fishers Volunteer Coordinator, will reach out with more information. If you would like the City of Fishers to supply trash bags and work gloves, please contact Amy Crell at crella@fishers.in.us to schedule a pickup at Fishers Municipal Complex at 1 Municipal Drive.
Reward: Upon completing their first trash pickup, White River Cleanup Stewards are eligible to claim one of the following free coupons:
- Complimentary order of fries from Shake Shack
- One free 4-pack box of cookies from Crumble Cookies
- $5 off unlimited wash from Crew Carwash
To claim your coupon, please email Amy Crell at crella@fishers.in.us with a picture of you with your trash bag with any part of the White River in the background.
Please see the map below showing the 116th Street Bridge Landing Parking, Shuttling, and Trash Drop Off Locations:
