JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) —The Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited continued its restoration efforts on the Watauga and South Holston rivers on Saturday. The cleanup was the most significant the group has undertaken.

138 volunteers (including a dog) attended the 9th annual Bill Beazel and Allen Robbins Memorial Tailwater Roundup. According to Evan McDougall, Overmountain Chapter board member, debris was hauled from the waterways in fishing boats and canoes.

“Debris was hauled out and placed into several large dumpsters for tires and dumpsters for all other trash placed at boat ramps on the rivers,” he said. We collected hundreds of tires and multiple tons of trash throughout the day.”

McDougall said the group is working with FEMA and TEMA to remove large debris that could not be hauled on Saturday. He also said there is still plenty of work to be completed.

To view a complete album of Saturday’s cleanup, click here.

“Overmountain Chapter Trout Unlimited is a local volunteer-operated nonprofit organization whose mission is ‘Conserving, protecting and restoring the Watauga, South Holston, & Nolichucky watersheds in Northeast Tennessee,’ McDougall said.

To learn more about the chapter or to get involved, visit its website.