July 1, 2017...  Marking the 150th anniversary of Canadian independence from the UK...  

I couldn't make it to Canada for the festivities, but we celebrated with a river cleanup instead.  The section from Russell Road to Wadsworth road has no complete log jam obstructions at this time, and at this water level.  The very large oak tree that blocked the river a ways south of Rte 173 has been somewhat untangled; you can get through it a couple of different ways, though the trunk itself is still suspended above the river, resting on its large limbs.  It will get clogged up again, and more debris will be revealed when the water level drops, but for now, it'll do.  We also cut logs off the portage trail around this jam, so it's much easier to walk around it, as needed.  

We didn't find enough trash to fill a 55-gallon trash can, but with the water level a bit high (~160cfs at Russell Road), that's not too surprising.  No tires, vehicle parts, house parts, or other large debris was found, but we did find three coconuts, bringing our total for the year to 12.  

Many thanks to Co-Leader Helen Gretz, who took the forward squad, and to the Lake County Forest Preserve District's volunteers who coordinated the overall effort, and all the folks who worked today.