The Catawba Riversweep

October 4th, 2025

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.


(Registration links will be available soon!)

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.

Donate to Riversweep!

2025 Catawba Riversweep Cleanup Site Locations

Registration Links and More Cleanup Site Locations Coming Soon!


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.


  • Catawba Above Lake James Cleanup Sites
    • Joseph McDowell Historic Greenway - Coming Soon!
  • Lake James Cleanup Sites
    • Black Bear Boat Ramp
  • Lake Rhodhiss Cleanup Sites
    • Wilson Creek - Coming Soon!
  • Lake Hickory Cleanup Sites
    • Lake Hickory Scuba & Marina
  • Lookout Shoals Lake Cleanup Sites
    • To Be Announced
  • Lake Norman Cleanup Sites
    • Beatty's Ford Access Area
    • Lake Norman State Park
    • McCrary Creek Access Area
    • Pinnacle Access Area
    • Ramsey Creek Access Area

  • Mountain Island Lake Cleanup Sites
    • Latta Nature Preserve
    • Neck Road Access Area
    • Riverbend Access Area
  • Charlotte Creeks Cleanup Sites
    • Briar Creek at Eastover Park
    • Briar Creek at Merry Oaks Neighborhood
    • Campbell Creek Greenway
    • Irwin Creek at Revolution Park
    • Little Sugar Creek at Alexander St Park
    • Little Sugar Creek at Freedom Park

  • South Fork River Cleanup Sites
    • Catawba Creek at Lineberger Park
    • Riverside Park
  • Lake Wylie Cleanup Sites
    • Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park
    • McDowell Nature Preserve
    • Paw Creek: The Vineyards
    • South Point Access Area
    • Tega Cay Marina
    • Tuckaseegee Park
  • Catawba River Below Lake Wylie Cleanup Sites
    • ASCG: Adventure Rd
    • ASCG: Dairy Barn
    • Catawba River Access - Lake Wylie Dam
    • Lindsay Pettus Greenway
    • The River Place

  • Fishing Creek Cleanup Sites
    • Catawba Riverkeeper Outdoor Classroom
  • Great Falls Cleanup Sites

    To Be Announced

  • Lake Wateree Cleanup Sites
    • Cedar Creek Access Area

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:

  • Linville Boat Ramp (Lake James)
  • Sharon Access Area (Lookout Shoals)
  • Boat Ramp Long Island Road (Lake Norman)
  • Allen Fishing Access Area (South Fork)
  • Buster Boyd Access Area (Lake Wylie)
  • Nivens Creek Access Area (Lake Wylie)
  • Tailrace Marina (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.

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