The Catawba Riversweep
October 4th, 2025
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
For decades, citizens around the Catawba River Basin have been cleaning up their river, lakes, creeks, and streams to make sure their waterways look beautiful, are safe for swimming and fishing, and are free of pollution.
The Catawba Riversweep is one day a year when citizens from all over the Catawba-Wateree River Basin come together to clean up their shared waterways.
October 4, 2025 will be a day when thousands of neighbors come together at dozens of sites from Lake James to Lake Wateree and everywhere in between. It will be a day of hard work, fun, fellowship, and action!
Be a Riverkeeper for a Day!
The more willing hands and passionate people we have volunteering for Riversweep, the greater an impact we will have on cleaning up our waterways! Read through the list of sites in the drop-down menu below and find the one where you'd like to volunteer. Then, click the link and register for free! Be sure to read ALL instructions and stay tuned for more details that will be coming to your inbox after you register.
How the Catawba Riverseep Began
Beginning in 2002, a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers on Lake Wylie started the Lake Wylie Riversweep and thus began the “Riversweep Tradition” on the Catawba River. Since then, dozens of other groups have continued their tradition with their own local riversweeps in their communities. The dedicated volunteer leaders of this event have generously shared their knowledge with many other community groups across the basin who wanted to start their own Riversweeps!
In 2020, all of these local organizing groups began coming together to show their communities the impact that collaboration and cooperation can have on the health and cleanliness of our River.
Support Riversweep Today!
It takes support of all kinds to execute a basin-wide cleanup of our waterways.
2025 Catawba Riversweep Cleanup Site Locations
Registration Is Now Open!
Dozens of cleanup sites will be used as “launch points” for volunteers. Every site is unique in size, type of activities (land, boat, kayak, etc.), and amenities.
How to Register: Click on a region in the list below to access the registration links for specific sites.
You can view site locations with the 2025 Riversweep Sites Map below.
Unsure of how the registration process works? Scroll down to watch a video that will help you register today!
Register Here!
To register, simply click on the name of the site where you would like to volunteer and fill out the site registration form.
Please email Kaity D'Angelo (kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org) to make a group reservation for more than 6 people.
Catawba Above Lake James Cleanup Sites
Lake James Cleanup Sites
Lake Rhodhiss Cleanup Sites
- Wilson Creek - Coming Soon!
Lake Hickory Cleanup Sites
Lookout Shoals Lake Cleanup Sites
Lake Norman Cleanup Sites
Mountain Island Lake Cleanup Sites
Charlotte Creeks Cleanup Sites
South Fork River Cleanup Sites
Lake Wylie Cleanup Sites
Catawba River Below Lake Wylie Cleanup Sites
Fishing Creek Cleanup Sites
Great Falls Cleanup Sites
Lake Wateree Cleanup Sites
Unsure of how to register?
Watch this video to learn more about how to sign up to participate in Riversweep.
In 2025, we expect more than 1,200 volunteers to clean up tens of thousands of pounds of trash from 50+ sites across the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. With just 3 short hours of your time, you too can say “I AM A RIVERKEEPER!” You can register as an individual, a business, a school, a church, a neighborhood, or a group of friends today and be a part of the largest river cleanup in the Southeast.
Become a Riversweep Site Captain
If you’re interested in taking on a larger role in The Catawba Riversweep, consider becoming a Site Captain! We rely on site captains to ensure every one of the 50+ cleanup sites throughout the basin run smoothly and safely.
Site Captains are responsible for picking up materials for the cleanup, helping participants sign in, weighing the trash that is gathered, and returning materials to Catawba Riverkeeper.
Watch the video to see if this volunteer opportunity is right for you!
Site Captains Still Needed For These Riversweep Sites:
- Sharon Access Area (Lookout Shoals)
- Nivens Creek Access Area (Lake Wylie)
- Stumpy Pond Access (Great Falls)
Email Kaity D'Angelo at kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org to inquire about becoming a Site Captain for The Catawba Riversweep.
The countdown to the largest 1-day river cleanup in the Southeast is on!
Riversweep Partners
These generous partners and sponsors help make the Catawba Riversweep possible.
If you'd like to become a sponsor, email diana@catawbariverkeeper.org to learn more.
Presenting Sponsor
T-Shirt Sponsor
Lake Partners
Business Partners
Non-Profit Partners
Government Partners
