Friends of the Riverfront seeks volunteers to clean the Tarentum waterfront by kayak

Anyone curious about the types of trash submerged in the Allegheny River can volunteer to pluck gas cans, soccer balls and other items from the Tarentum waterfront during a special event this month.

Hosted by Friends of the Riverfront, the cleanup is part of a pilot program to target water-based stewardship of the Three Rivers Water Trail.

“We haven’t had kayaks until this year to access the water,” said Kate Angell, Friends’ director of communications.

“We’re looking forward to it being a bigger part of the cleanups.”

Paid for through the Port of Pittsburgh Commission’s Small Grant Program, the money also covered a trailer, safety equipment and training through the American Canoe Association.

The nonprofit Friends, which manages the 33-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail, also stewards the Three Rivers Water Trail that includes 30 launches across the Ohio, Allegheny, Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers.

The event Aug. 29 will target the area beneath the Tarentum Bridge. Registration is limited to 18 people — 12 with the Friends fleet and six spots for participants who bring their own vessel.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes, long pants and layered tops, and bring a water bottle. All other supplies and equipment will be provided.

Volunteers will concentrate their efforts on the riverbank immediately north and south of the Tarentum launch.

Alex Toner, director of trail stewardship, said regular water-based opportunities will be available through the fall and into next year.

During past shoreline cleanups, workers have turned up a smattering of unique miscellaneous items that are mostly plastic, he said.

Friends has worked closely with Allegheny CleanWays and Three Rivers Waterkeeper, both of which have led river-based work for years.

Now, Toner said, his group can make water-based stewardship a priority and complement the efforts.

“Together we’re working toward the same goals,” he said.

Kayaks and canoes will enable volunteers to access hard-to-reach areas to clear overgrown vegetation and survey the banks for maintenance needs.

“Trash along the shoreline is bad news. Almost everything that is on the ground ends up in the water,” Angell said. “It contaminates the river and gums up the works.”