Chattanooga, TN, July 25, 2025
News Summary
Chattanooga, Tennessee is facing major litter issues in its waterways, particularly in Chattanooga Creek, known for its pollution. The city has partnered with Waterways to install litter traps to combat the problem. Despite being named North America’s first national park city, trash accumulation remains a significant environmental threat. Upcoming initiatives include additional litter boom installations to further address the ongoing cleanliness challenges and promote public health.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is grappling with significant ongoing litter challenges in its waterways, despite recently being designated as North America’s first national park city. The city has seen a persistent issue with trash accumulation, particularly affecting its creeks such as Chattanooga Creek, which has a reputation for being the most polluted in the area according to local stormwater management authorities.
Eric Hancock, a public information specialist with the City of Chattanooga’s Stormwater Management Division, has underscored the severity of the litter problem affecting various waterways, which not only compromise the environment but also diminish recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Chattanooga Creek, in particular, has been a focal point for cleanup efforts due to its historical pollution issues.
According to Tennessee state law, the designation of a waterway as navigable must be determined by a jury. If determined navigable, the waterway is treated as a public highway managed by the state. This regulation highlights the significance of maintaining clean water channels not only for environmental health but also for public accessibility.
An international nonprofit organization, Waterways, has partnered with the City of Chattanooga to combat these challenges by installing litter traps, known as litter booms, in several strategic locations, including Citico Creek and Chattanooga Creek. Over the past three years, these installations have collectively removed over three tons of debris from the waterways.
The “Clear Chattanooga” initiative was launched in 2013, born out of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice relating to shortcomings in the city’s wastewater management. The project was prompted by significant concerns regarding wastewater system overflows that can occur during heavy rainfall, which introduce potential public health risks and environmental hazards.
Currently, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has stated that enforcing local litter laws falls outside of their jurisdiction, creating challenges for local enforcement. In 2024 alone, the Chattanooga Police Department reported having issued 45 citations for littering, with 18 citations processed in just the current year.
In May 2023, WaterWays added a second litter boom in Chattanooga Creek, partnering with the Osprey Initiative for ongoing maintenance of the installations. The most recent project has reportedly gathered an impressive 5,600 pounds of floating debris. These litter booms are designed with innovative features, including a kayak and canoe “gate”, allowing for paddler access while protecting the shoreline from damage.
Further expansions are on the horizon, with plans for a third litter boom installation expected before the end of June 2024. This iteration will be maintained for six months by Osprey and then transitioned to another local organization, Wild Trails, for continued upkeep. Data gathered from the collected trash will undergo analysis by students from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to identify potential pollution sources.
Estimates suggest that approximately 30 to 40 percent of the trash collected could be recycled, a step that aims to mitigate emissions from companies such as Coca-Cola. While the water in Chattanooga Creek is not safe for drinking, it does provide opportunities for recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing.
The remediation efforts for Chattanooga Creek began in 2008, with additional cleanup initiatives continuing since 2017. Sampling in 2019 confirmed that the creek no longer posed significant threats to public health for residents living nearby. Funding for the litter boom installations has been provided through an Urban Waters 5 Star Restoration Grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and funding in tackling environmental issues.
FAQ
What is the current environmental issue in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga faces significant litter problems in its waterways, particularly in Chattanooga Creek, which is historically the most polluted creek in the city.
How has the City of Chattanooga tried to address these litter issues?
The city has partnered with the nonprofit organization Waterways to install litter booms in specific creeks, which have collected over three tons of trash over the past three years.
What legal considerations affect the cleanup efforts?
Tennessee law requires that a jury determine if a waterway is navigable, which influences its designation as a public highway and management by the state.
What recent initiatives have been implemented to mitigate litter?
The “Clear Chattanooga” program, established after a lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, focuses on improving the wastewater management system and includes ongoing cleanup efforts in addition to the litter boom installations.
What are the future plans for litter boom installations?
A third litter boom is planned for installation before the end of June 2024, which will be maintained by local organizations for an extended period.
Key Features of Trash Issues in Chattanooga
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Problem | Significant litter issues in waterways, particularly Chattanooga Creek. |
| Recent Initiatives | Installation of litter booms by Waterways, collecting over three tons of trash. |
| Legal Context | State law mandates jury determination for navigability of waterways. |
| Ongoing Programs | ‘Clear Chattanooga’ program focusing on wastewater improvements. |
| Future Actions | Plans for additional litter boom installations by June 2024. |
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Additional Resources
- NewsChannel 9: Litter Booms Loom as City Battles Tidal Wave of Trash
- Local 3 News: Chattanooga Expanding Litter Boom Program to Citico Creek
- Nooga Today: Water and Environment Grant Program in Chattanooga
- Times Free Press: Chattanooga Creek Still Full of Trash
- Chattanoogan: Litter Boom Installed as Effort to Clean Waterways
- Wikipedia: Litter
- Google Search: Litter in Chattanooga
- Google Scholar: Litter Booms Chattanooga
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Littering
- Google News: Chattanooga Litter
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
