Sweep the litter off the Eel River gravel bars at Fortuna River Lodge reach (2026-07-20)

The Eel River drops its winter flood trash on the gravel bars beside Fortuna — bottles, foam, tires, and camp debris — and the next high water carries it on toward the salmon reaches and the sea. Sweeping the dry bars in the low-water months takes that load out of the river system for good. Standard: EPA trash-free waters practice + Eel River recovery volunteer cleanup tradition; SDG 14 Life Below Water. Proof: Before/after bar photos with haul tally Method (EPA trash-free waters practice + Eel River recovery volunteer cleanup tradition; SDG 14 Life Below Water.): 1. Access the bar from the public river access during low water and photograph litter concentrations. 2. Collect litter from the dry gravel only, using gloves and grabbers; roll tires clear for pickup. 3. Bag and tally items, staging heavy finds at the access point. 4. Haul bags and tires to the transfer station or arranged pickup. 5. Photograph the cleared bar and the staged haul with the tally. Done when: Before/after bar photos with haul tally

Where

Public river access, Eel River bar near Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540

Pay

$180 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after bar photos with haul tally

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-08-19

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–60 minutes. Method of record: EPA dry-weather / AMD field screening

Bring

• GPS phone
• pH meter or strips
• conductivity meter
• ammonia + iron test kit as specified
• surfactant screen if specified
• gloves
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to the outfall/reach; record GPS; photograph it, capturing any visible flow or staining.
2. 2. Note whether flow is present in dry weather (yes/no).
3. 3. Measure and record pH, conductivity, and each specified analyte per kit instructions.
4. 4. Log any color, odor, floc, or aquatic-life observation.
5. 5. Enter all readings with units, GPS, time, and photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Dry-weather flow present with elevated conductivity/ammonia/surfactants -> flag suspected illicit discharge for the responsible agency.
• pH < 6 with visible iron floc -> tag suspected acid mine drainage; recommend metals lab panel.

What counts as done

• pH + conductivity recorded with units
• Each specified analyte recorded with a value
• Dry-weather flow present? recorded yes/no
• GPS waypoint + timestamped photo

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.