Carlsbad River Blitz Cleans Up 9.7 Tons of Waste and Trash

Marking its 25th anniversary, the Carlsbad River Blitz, a collaborative endeavor by Eddy County, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the City of Carlsbad, the New Mexico Department of Tourism, and Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, has reached a significant milestone this year.

The community's collective effort in removing a staggering 19,400 pounds of waste is a testament to their dedication to preserving the beauty and vitality of New Mexico's local waterways. This remarkable achievement not only enhances the natural environment but also underscores the community's commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

Carlsbad River Blitz's Annual Cleanup Effort: Preserving Vital Waterways

Every year, hundreds of volunteers gather to clean up the banks of the Pecos River, a vital 926-mile waterway that originates in north-central New Mexico and resurfaces through a series of springs before traveling south to Texas.

Riverblitz, an organization committed to conserving the Pecos and Black rivers and their surrounding areas near Carlsbad, NM, hosts an annual cleanup event. Initiated in 2000 by concerned local citizens who noticed a rise in trash and dumping along the waterways, the event has witnessed significant growth. From its humble beginnings with around 200 volunteers, the event now sees a larger participation each year, reflecting the growing concern and commitment of the community towards the cause.

Volunteers, with their main bases at the Riverwalk Recreation Center and the Chutes, embark on a comprehensive cleanup mission. They cover a vast area, from Brantley Lake to Lower Tansil Dam, and certain sections on the Black River south of town. To ensure accessibility, a shuttle service is provided from the Recreation Center to the Chutes for those without transportation.

Carlsbad River Blitz's Ongoing Battle Against River Pollution

Carlsbad receives an average of 12 inches of rain annually in the Chihuahuan Desert. The region's two major rivers, the Pecos and the Black, are lifelines for the local ecosystem. A clean and safe water source is essential not just for the area's diverse flora and fauna but also for the farmers who rely on the water for irrigation and for the patrons who enjoy recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking along the rivers.

While many Carlsbad residents are familiar with the stretch of the Pecos River from the Flume to Lower Tansil Dam, other areas continue to face significant trash issues. The sections from Brantley Dam to Avalon Lake, in particular, pose a challenge. In the first year of the cleanup effort, over 30 tons of trash, primarily large items such as couches, appliances, tires, and concrete, were cleared. While the amount of waste has decreased over the past decade, the need for ongoing efforts to maintain the cleanliness of the rivers remains crucial.

Carlsbad Department of Development

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