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The Groundwork Anacostia River D.C. (GWARDC) made history by introducing the Bandalong Litter Trap to the Anacostia River, marking the first installation of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. This innovative trap is strategically placed on Watts Branch Creek, a crucial tributary feeding into the Anacostia River, which flows through Washington, D.C., eventually joining the Potomac River before reaching the Chesapeake Bay.
The Anacostia River, once notorious for its high levels of pollution, is now seeing significant improvements, thanks in part to the efforts of GWARDC and the effectiveness of the Bandalong Litter Trap. The trap plays a pivotal role in capturing and removing floating debris before it can further pollute the river and its connected waterways. This not only improves the water quality but also helps restore the natural habitat for local wildlife.
GWARDC hopes that the success seen with the Bandalong Litter Trap will inspire other communities along the Anacostia and similar urban rivers to adopt similar measures. By working together, these communities can collectively make a significant impact on cleaning and revitalizing their waterways.
The Chesapeake Bay Program, a key partner in this effort, emphasizes the importance of restoring the health of rivers like the Anacostia as part of the broader goal of protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Projects like this highlight the power of community action and innovative solutions in addressing environmental challenges.
(Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) Watershed specialists Carlos Rich, top, and Dawayne Garnett from Groundwork Anacostia River D.C. work to empty a Bandalong Litter Trap at Kenilworth Park in northeast Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1, 2014.
