Volunteers will once again roll up their sleeves for the 16th annual Sweep the Hooch on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Organized by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, the watershed-wide cleanup runs from 9 am to 12 pm and includes more than 65 locations across the region, including several sites in Marietta and Cobb County.
Each year, volunteers gather at parks, creeks, and river access points along the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries. In 2025, the event set two records, with 1,500 volunteers removing 82,000 pounds, or 41 tons, of trash and recyclables in a single day. That is a lot of debris headed away from the water and into proper disposal.
Cobb County falls within the Metro Atlanta registration region, which includes cleanup locations throughout Cobb as well as neighboring counties. Local volunteers will work along stretches of the Chattahoochee River and nearby tributaries that flow through the Marietta area.
Participants can choose between two types of volunteer roles:
Walkers and Waders work from land and shallow water, collecting litter along riverbanks and in tributaries. Many sites require stepping into shallow water, so rain boots or water shoes are recommended. Some locations may also target invasive plants such as privet.
Paddlers use kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards to cover three to five miles per segment while removing debris from sections of the river that are difficult to reach by land. Volunteers in this category must bring their own equipment, as boats are not provided onsite.
With sites closing once capacity is reached, early registration is strongly encouraged. Participation is free, though each volunteer must register individually. During registration, volunteers will select their preferred location and sign the required liability waiver electronically.
Registration is organized by region, and Cobb County sites are included in the Metro Atlanta category.
Children are welcome to participate but must be supervised at all times by an adult. Parents are required to remain onsite with their child for the duration of the cleanup.
Walkers and waders must be at least 10 years old. Solo paddlers must be at least 15. For tandem paddling, youth must be at least 10 and accompanied by an adult who is at least 21.
For questions about volunteering, contact tbates@chattahoochee.org.
Date:
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time:
9 am to 12 pm
Admission:
Free with registration
Address:
Multiple locations throughout Cobb County and Marietta
See registration site for specific cleanup locations
For more information, please contact Chattahoochee Riverkeeper at tbates@chattahoochee.org or call (404) 352-9828.
