Muskingum River Clean-up Underway

The Muskingum River will soon be clear of snags and debris.

Clean-up efforts are currently underway, as the Muskingum Riverway Advocacy Council received a grant to remove 60 snags along the river, from Marietta all the way to Ellis Dam. Council President, Jake Creeks, said the debris poses a safety threat to boaters.

“It’s mainly a blockage, the cause is bank erosion and land loss and we’re concerned with that type of stuff of course, that just flows right in with the safety of the boaters out there hitting the possible snag debris, which is causing a safety hazard, and with that we’re going to be cleaning the river up because of more boat traffic,” Creeks said.

The project is expected to be completed by November. Creeks said by removing the debris, businesses along the river will benefit and the area’s overall economy will improve.

“These businesses that have been up and down the river for years, they’ve always had their front doors open, we’d like to see the back doors come open to where they can hear those boats go up and down the river, and put some boat docks in and start helping to sell their products, and it’s just a good flow with the community to get the economic conditions moving and for safe boating and stop some bank erosion, and just everything,” Creeks said.

The council is in need of volunteers to help with projects. If interested, visit Terry’s Tavern in Zanesville for a brochure.