Click Here for the 2016 Cleanup
On Saturday, April 13th, from 9 AM to 3 PM (rain date is April 20, 2013), several local non-profit groups and agencies are teaming up to sponsor a clean-up of the upper Occoquan River, from Cedar Run/Broad Run to Lake Jackson then from below Lake Jackson Dam to Lake Ridge Marina and Hooes Run. We anticipate accessing the river and reservoir at multiple sites again this year (see locations on the map). We are looking for your help!
The Clean-up of the Occoquan River will be part of the Alice Ferguson Foundation 25th Potomac River Watershed Clean-up Day (www.fergusonfoundation.org). REI, (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) an outdoor retail co-op is assisting with promotion and individual volunteers.
We are requesting the support of experienced area Canoeists/Kayakers to participate in the gathering, and others for off-loading of collected debris. The Lake Jackson VFD and Lake Ridge OWL VFD will provide on-water emergency support. Participants will be provided with gloves, trash bags, bottled water and light snacks. Toilet facilities and dumpsters will be available at each put-in/drop off site.
PWTSC volunteers will launch canoeists/kayakers on the Prince William County side from below Lake Jackson Dam, Riverview Estates, and Canon Bluff HOAs, the Lake Ridge Marina and Hooes Run. These take-out and put-in points for canoeists and kayakers are also gathered trash drop-off points. Prince William County Parks and Recreation will provide canoe/kayak trailer shuttle service back to participants’ put-in point.
Canoeists and Kayakers are requested to register for this event by clicking here. Pre-registration will allow us to plan for gloves, trash bags, trailer shuttle support, water bottles, snacks and T-Shirt distribution. For more information, call Ed Dandar, PWTSC project officer, at 703-791-6158 or [email protected]. Carpooling is encouraged. Directions to various locations can be found below.
The Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC – www.pwtsc.org), Prince William County Parks and Recreation, Public Works, the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, the Occoquan Watertrail League (OWL) (www.owlva.org ), several bordering Homeowners Associations, Neabsco Action Alliance, Keep Prince William Beautiful, REI, Prince William Izaak Walton League, Bradley Forest Recreation Association, and Lake Jackson Citizens Association are working together on this exciting conservation project.
Occoquan River Clean-up Directions to Put-in/Take-out Sites
Directions
Lake Jackson Dam Site:
From I-95 go north on Rte. 234 and cross the Occoquan Creek Bridge. Make a left turn at 1st red light on to Coles Drive and an immediate left on to Mercury Drive. Make a left turn on Hinson Mill Lane where someone will help you find parking in the general area.
From Rte. 28 go south on Rte. 234 passing the Brentsville Road Exit and Traffic Light and turning right at the next Traffic Light on to Coles Drive and then left on to Mercury Drive. If you miss the Coles Drive turn, make next right turn before the Bridge on to Hinson Mill Lane where someone will help you find parking in the general area.
Car-pooling is encouraged because parking is limited on Mercury Drive and between the Outdoor Furniture and Backyard Shed & Deck. Parking is available off of Coles Rd on the shoulder of Collinreid Ct.
Canon Bluff HOA Site:
From I-95 take Prince William Parkway towards Manassas; at the Hoadly Road/Davis Ford Road traffic light intersection, turn right on to Davis Ford Road and proceed to first traffic light, turn right on to Bacon Race Road and proceed 1.5 miles to Stop Sign, turn left on to Wolf Shoals Road, make 2d Left turn on to Observer Lane into Cul-de-Sac. Entry to Park Gate will be seen and you can drive down to launch point. After unloading equipment, individuals can park up in the Cul-de-Sac area. Car-pooling is encouraged because parking is limited.
From Rte.28 in Manassas take Liberia Ave. to Prince William Parkway East. Upon reaching the traffic light at Hoadly Rd. and Davis Ford Rd, make left turn proceed to Bacon Race Road traffic light and turn right. Follow above directions from that point.
Riverview Estates HOA Site:
From I95 take Prince William Parkway towards Manassas, then turn right on to Davis Ford Road, turn left onto River Forest Drive (into Riverview Estates), then turn right at the first street onto Greenway Court. At the end of the cul de sac there is a chain across the road that goes down to the river. Area will be open and you can proceed down to the shoreline. Parking is available in field near the water.
From Rte.28 in Manassas take Liberia Ave. to Prince William Parkway East. Upon reaching the traffic light at Hoadly Rd. and Davis Ford Rd, make left turn proceed through the Bacon Race Road traffic light and continue down Davis Ford Rd until you make a left onto River Forest Drive. Follow above directions from that point.
Hooes Run / Lake Ridge Site:
Access point is the LRPRA boat ramp at the end of Forest Hill Rd, in Lake Ridge.
Address: 12405 Forest Hill Road, Lake Ridge, VA, United States, 22192. see map
I-95S
Take exit 160 to merge onto VA-123 N/Gordon Blvd toward Occoquan/Lake Ridge; Turn left onto Old Bridge Rd (go 2.2 mi); Turn right onto Forest Hill Rd (go 0.3 mi)
I-95N
Take exit 160B for VA-123 N toward Occoquan/Lake Ridge; Slight right onto the Virginia 123 N ramp (go 0.5 mi); Turn left onto Old Bridge Rd (go 2.2 mi); Turn right onto Forest Hill Rd (go 0.3 mi)
PW Parkway
if traveling on the PW Parkway from Woodbridge towards Manassas: Turn right onto Old Bridge Rd (go 2.8 mi); Turn left onto Forest Hill Rd (go 0.3 mi)
if traveling on the PW Parkway from Manassas towards Woodbridge: continue onto Old Bridge Rd (at the point where the Parkway meets Old Bridge Rd, near Merchant Plaza shopping center)(go 2.8 mi); Turn left onto Forest Hill Rd (go 0.3 mi)