Volunteers clean War Eagle creek

NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Isaac Amaya, 8, (left) and his dad, Miguel Amaya of Springdale take part in the War Eagle Cleanup Saturday with Ana Rivera and Iris Amaya, 6 (right). They picked up litter near the historic War Eagle bridge. For photo galleries, go to nwadg.com/photos.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Isaac Amaya, 8, (left) and his dad, Miguel Amaya of Springdale take part in the War Eagle Cleanup Saturday with Ana Rivera and Iris Amaya, 6 (right). They picked up litter near the historic War Eagle bridge. For photo galleries, go to nwadg.com/photos.

WAR EAGLE -- Ana Rivera stood on the banks of War Eagle Creek holding a bag as her son and daughter scooped up trash around her Saturday morning.

The family was participating in a cleanup held by War Eagle Mill and Beaver Watershed Alliance. About 60 people were expected to volunteer during the event.

Rivera, of Springdale, said she heard about the event at a volunteer fair held at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. She said it sounded like a good way to teach her children about giving back.

"I want them to get in the habit of volunteering," Rivera said. "It also gets them away from the TV."

Bryant Baker, Beaver Watershed Alliance program coordinator, said the event was focused on cleaning trash. It also was a way to bring awareness to the watershed.

"Trash is a form of pollution," Baker said. "It can be problematic for wildlife. Animals get caught in it. We are hoping to bring awareness about the pollution here."

The creek is important because it meets with the White River before flowing into Beaver Lake, Baker said.

The watershed also contains 215,779 acres, according to the alliance. It states the watershed contains 468 miles of streams and 664 miles of roads.

Baker said it's the first time the alliance has held a cleanup at War Eagle Creek. He said events have been held in other locations such as Hobbs State Park near Rogers in the past.

A recent grant from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission has put a focus on the watershed, Baker said. The $270,000 grant including an in-kind match from the alliance will cover work in the area for two years, Baker said.

The grant will cover education of homeowners in the area, Baker said. He said it also will cover resources to restore banks along the creek.

Volunteers were assigned a location on the creek as they checked in at Withrow Springs State Park and War Eagle Mill at 9 a.m. Saturday. Gloves, trash-bags, orange vests and maps were given to the volunteers as they arrived.

Isaac, Rivera's son, wandered near War Eagle Mill. He said he likes 'helping out the environment.'

"If a bird eats some trash he might die," Isaac, 8, said.

Further upstream Milah Pack tied a bag onto a canoe before launching into the creek near a bridge on Gar Hole Road. Pack said she came to the event with friends and family.

"We have to do our part," Pack said. "We can't not take care of something that takes care of us."

Pack was joined by about 30 other volunteers on kayaks and canoes.

NW News on 03/22/2015

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