FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Permanent litter capture devices to be installed to improve water quality.
Crews will work along Fayetteville’s stream banks beginning May 4 to install permanent litter capture devices, according to the City of Fayetteville. The city and a contracted environmental services firm, Osprey Initiative LLC, will carry out the work.
The litter booms will be placed at five locations across the city’s waterway system.
The effort focuses on removing trash and debris from waterways to improve water quality and overall environmental health, the city said.
During each cleanup, firm staff will conduct waste audits to identify the types of materials collected and areas with the highest concentrations of litter. Findings from first-year audits, along with field observations, were used to determine optimal locations for litter booms to intercept debris before it moves downstream.
Key findings from 2025 cleanups include:
- 75% of trash by weight was collected from the Town Branch Creek
- Primary contributors were encampments and roadway litter
- Interstate 49 was the largest roadway source, followed by Crossover Road
- 9% of litter by weight came from Scull Creek, mostly near multifamily housing
Litter booms are designed to capture floating trash and recyclables while allowing water to flow freely. They rise and fall with changing water levels and allow wildlife to pass safely above or below, according to the city.
The devices will remain in place and be routinely monitored and maintained by the firm’s staff.
Litter Boom locations:
- Town Branch at South School
- Town Branch at 15th and Hollywood
- Scull Creek at Sycamore
- Scull Creek and Mud Creek Confluence
- Clear Creek at is confluence with Lake Fayetteville
Following installation, the firm will conduct a second year of stream cleanups and waste audits. The work is designed to be minimally invasive and should not disturb adjacent properties, the city said.
All cleanup activities are expected to be completed by the end of May.
This story originally appeared on KNWA by Monica Santos. You can view the original story online here.