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