March 7 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
World’s Longest River Clean Up — Saturday, March 7, 2026
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, paddlers from all over Texas will be participating in the world’s longest river clean up. We will be picking up trash along most of the San Marcos River (60–90 miles depending on how many canoe racers show up). From just downstream of San Marcos, all the way to Gonzales, canoeists, kayakers and rafters will be cleaning the river and the banks. The paddling portion of this event is for experienced paddlers only, with their own boats and who are members of paddling groups who have adopted various sections of river.
Water Hyacinth Removal
Anybody out there familiar with the removal of water hyacinths from a waterway? Between the decreased river flows (from our drought) and the increased flows into the river of wastewater, the hyacinths are having a hay day. They are real good at removing nutrients (like phosphorus) from the river, but they are also real good at making the river unnavigable.
There is a very large jam of hyacinths in Cummings Lake starting at the confluence of the Blanco River. I have been talking to the City of San Marcos (since they are providing the phosphorus with their effluent) and the San Marcos River Foundation (since they have a permit to remove hyacinths) about the purchase of some machinery to remove the plants and composting them off river.
We don’t just want to send them downstream (they will just hang up elsewhere). And we don’t just want to kill the plants (and have all that phosphorus return to the river to fertilize more hyacinths downstream). We need to remove the plants (along with the phosphorus they have absorbed) and compost them. We need, at minimum, a conveyor that will lift the plants out of the river and load them into dump trucks. If you can help, please let me know.
Bank Crews
I need a few good men, and women, and scouts, and pretty much anyone who wants to help, to clean up some of the bridges and parks along the river. I really need some leaders (scoutmasters, churches, community activists) who are willing to adopt a bridge or park to contact me and volunteer to coordinate the clean up of each of these hot spots. Cleaning these parks and bridges on foot allows the paddlers to get on and off the river quicker — which allows them more time to clean the river that isn’t accessible on foot.
Whitewater Paddlers
There are some sections of river that require whitewater skills. For those sections, only persons capable of handling a canoe full of trash in whitewater should volunteer. This is primarily for Sections 2, 7, and 8.
Canoe Racing Enthusiasts
Some sections of river, like Luling to Gonzales, have long stretches with few bridge crossings and for that reason, we are asking canoe racers (especially teams that have competed in the Texas Water Safari) to volunteer for Section 10.
Free Camping
Paddlers participating in this event are invited to camp free at the San Marcos River Retreat. Reservations required. E-mail tomgoynes@mac.com or call 512-787-5574 (if you are not a member of the TRPA you may have to text me or leave a voicemail).
Camping is also available at Shady Grove Campground in Martindale. Call 512-357-6113 for reservations and pricing.
Meal — Saturday Night, March 7
Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening there will be a meal (we are thinking tacos — the cost of brisket has gone out of sight) for all the volunteers at the chapel at the San Marcos River Retreat.
- Everyone who wants to eat should register with their section leader by March 4.
- Please bring a plate, a cup, and utensils (we are trying to generate less trash).
- Anyone who would like to provide a dessert (either a dutch oven or baked good) — please bring it!
Meeting Times & Shuttles
Paddlers are required to contact the section leader for the section of river he or she intends to clean and reserve a spot on that team. Many of these sections will only be open to members of the club that has adopted that section. That leader will keep a list of volunteers and also make a note of folks who intend to eat. The section leader will tell all the members in their group where they will meet on the morning of March 7. At that meeting, trash bags will be handed out and shuttles will be arranged.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL. Everyone participating in this event must pre-register by Wednesday, March 4 (especially if you want to eat Saturday evening). You must contact a section leader to pre-register. And you should let the leader know if you change your plans and can’t participate.
River Section Listings
Section 1: Stokes Park to The San Marcos River Retreat (3.5 miles)
This is an all day clean up — volunteers should plan on being on the river until about 4 p.m. Volunteers are guaranteed to experience trash jams that resemble the trash compactor (complete with monster) from the original Star Wars movie. This section of river is not recommended for the faint of heart. Currently there is a large hyacinth jam on this section.
Section Coordinator: Open for adoption
Possible new section: Up and back trip from San Marcos River Retreat. There has been some interest in cleaning the river upstream from the Retreat to Cummings Dam and back down. More info once we have a section leader.
Section 2: San Marcos River Retreat to Sculls Crossing (3.1 miles)
⚠️ This is a whitewater section of river. If you don’t know what a draw is, don’t choose this section. Several groups and canoe clubs will be cleaning this section.
Section Coordinators:
Dave Zambrano — senorzambrano@gmail.com
Steve Ford — fnutria@aol.com
Houston Canoe Club
Section 3: Sculls Crossing to Spencer Canoes (2 miles)
This section involves carrying your canoe around Martindale Dam, plus a little bit of moving water from the dam to Spencer Canoes.
Adopted by: San Marcos River Ranch
Katy Brantley — katybrantley@gmail.com | 512-755-9720
Section 4: Spencer Canoes to Staples — Hwy 1977 (5 miles)
This section is being cleaned by the Informal River Bureaucracy (aka Jeff Pine and friends) — they have enough volunteers.
Section 5: Staples to Fentress — Hwy 20 (9 miles)
Section Leader: Dallas Downriver Club
Bryan Jackson — paddlinpals@yahoo.com
Section 6: Fentress to Prairie Lea 1 (3.29 miles)
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Susan Eda — susaneda@mac.com
Section 7: Prairie Lea 1 to Stairtown (5 miles)
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Josh Sarkardehi — jsarkardehi@gmail.com
Section 8: Stairtown to Luling — Hwy 90 (6.5 miles)
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Jeannette Burris — mmball1@sbcglobal.net
Section 9: Hwy 90 to Zedler Dam (6 miles) — A TPWD Paddling Trail
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Kayaking Houston
Kenny Sharpless — kenny.sharpless@hotmail.com
Section 10: Zedler Dam to Gonzales (a long way)
Long hard stretch for people with the Water Safari on their mind (in other words, for crazy people).
Section Leader: Open for adoption
Driving Directions to the San Marcos River Retreat
On Google Maps we show up as the “San Marcos River Scout Camp.”
Coming from Interstate 35 in San Marcos, get on Highway 80 and head toward Luling for 1.8 miles. Take a right on County Road 101. Take an immediate left onto County Road 102. Go ½ mile on 102 and take a right on Pecan Park Road. Keep going straight (past TG Canoes and Kayaks) and the road will end at the San Marcos River Retreat office.
Clean Up Coordinator: Tom Goynes — tomgoynes@mac.com