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OWA and OWU Tackle Delaware Run

     Taking advantage of a 70 degree day and a break in the spring flow, the Olentangy Watershed Alliance (OWA), OWU’s Sustainability Task Force student group, the City of Delaware and Keep Delaware County Beautiful gathered at the bank of the Delaware Run just west of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Shelby Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

     Beginning at the bridge on Henry Street, the group fought the streamflow westward toward Sandusky Street. Filling their red ‘onion bags’ with debris, the group surveyed both the stream bed and bank. While most debris (aluminum cans spanning generations, plastics and fabrics) fit neatly in the group’s collection bags, it did not take long to find some objects, such as sleeping backs and yard fencing, that were too large and cumbersome to carry on person. These items were dragged to the shore where students were stationed ready to hike them back to the rendezvous point. By the time the team made it to Sandusky Street many bags were ready to be loaded onto the truck.

     After a short break, the students were ready to tackle Delaware Run east of Henry Street. This portion of the Run is set within deep embankments north of Shelby Stadium. At the top of the embankment, footballs and lacrosse balls strewn about the stream bed and forest floor bewildered the clean-up crew.

     In all, 18 volunteers collected 780 lbs of debris and litter from 1,500ft of the tributary just feet before its junction with the Olentangy River. We are happy to have had the chance to work with this student group and look forward to solidifying our partnership with these students in the future.

     We are looking for more opportunities to partner with local volunteers for clean-ups in all areas of the Upper Olentangy Watershed. 

Reach out to: olentangyriverwatershed@gmail.com

     Mark you calendars! The 12th Annual Olentangy River Festival will be held this year on Saturday, June 21st at Mingo Park from 12n to 4pm.

     The popular festival celebrates water conservation by inviting friends of the river to the park for an afternoon of education and fun. You can expect some great food trucks, games for kids, live music, fly fishing demos, and more. 

     The Festival is now calling for nominations for the Olentangy Watershed Conservation Awards!

     The Conservation Awards were created to celebrate the individuals, groups, businesses, organizations, and agricultural producers/farmers alike who exemplify the true spirit of environmental stewardship and preservation in the watershed. Self-nominations are accepted.

     Nominee must be living or operating within the city of Delaware limits or the Upper Olentangy River Watershed. This is the area from Delaware City’s boundaries and spans north to Morrow, Marion, Crawford, and a portion of Richland County.

     Please complete the form provided by Friday, April 18, 2025, by 4 p.m. Requests for paper forms, along with any questions, may be emailed to lroberts@delawareohio.net.

     Conservation Award Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/XAJMqcrDtU2GsTSN8

     The awards will be presented during the Olentangy River Festival. Conservation Award recipients will be notified in advance of the award presentation. If a recipient is unable to attend in person and is unable to send a representative, arrangements may be made to deliver the award to the recipient. 

     You can also expect to see the great work of local artists as the Rain Barrel Raffle returns! 

     Rain barrels have become increasingly popular. As a community, we can increase this popularity by making them more visually appealing. Rain barrels provide many stormwater benefits including:
          • Reduction of stormwater runoff
          • A free and sustainable source of water for gardening
          • Reduction of harmful pollutants being carried into our waterways
          • Reduction of ponding and flooding
          • Reduction of water bill costs

     Businesses, organizations, and individuals have the opportunity to sponsor a rain barrel for $30. The sponsorship offsets the cost of the installation kit provided with each rain barrel.

     Rain barrels can be both sponsored and painted by the same entity. The barrels will be raffled off at the River Fest on June 21st at Mingo Park, and proceeds will go to the Olentangy Watershed Alliance (OWA), a non-profit group dedicated to enhancing and preserving the Upper Olentangy River Watershed. Raffle ticket sales will begin at the River Fest at 12 p.m. and end at approximately 3:30 p.m. with the winning tickets to be drawn shortly after.

     Come on out and celebrate Your river! 

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