Volunteers clear trash from Chipola River at Spring Creek Cleanup

By Shelia Mader

On Saturday, June 14, the banks and waters of the Chipola River near Spring Creek echoed with laughter, the hum of boat motors, and the shared purpose of nearly 40 volunteers determined to give back to a river they love.

Led by longtime river steward Danny Melvin — affectionately known by many as “Mr. Chipola”, the annual Chipola River Cleanup saw participants of all ages come together to collect and remove trash from one of Jackson County’s most treasured waterways.

“We had probably 25 boats out there,” Melvin said. “Some folks came in from the Cook subdivision, others walked the creek with us. From five years old to 72, we had them all. It was just a good day.”

Melvin, who furnished the supplies, made sure no one went home hungry. After hours of hauling debris, volunteers were treated to smoked Boston butts, sandwiches, chips, cakes, pies, and more, a welcome reward for a hard day’s work. “Everybody eats that wants to eat,” Melvin said with a grin.

The group collected an estimated 400 to 500 pounds of trash, including everything from plastic bottles and bags to old cans and river debris. The waste was transported via boat to the nearest ramp and then hauled to the local trash dump for the county to pick up.

“Ben Odom came down with his kids and I told him, ‘We need people like this.’ This is our waterways,” Melvin said. “And Carl Kressman and Shag (Willis), two Jackson County icons were on board. They had us laughing all day. One time Carl bumped the boat so Shag could reach a piece of trash. It didn’t work so they kept messing with each other, but got the job done.”

The event drew support not only from local families but also volunteers from as far away as Dothan, Alabama, who helped clean up the wooded edges of Turner’s landing near the creek. “When the river floods, all that trash goes right down the creek,” Melvin noted. “So, we clean it every year. And many of the same ones come back with me every time.”

Though the day was about cleaning up, it was also about community, about people coming together, enjoying the outdoors, and teaching the next generation the value of stewardship.

“It’s not just trash we’re clearing,” Melvin said. “It’s a path for others to follow, a reminder that this river belongs to all of us, and it’s worth taking care of.”

Plans are already in the works for the next cleanup, with hopes that even more residents will grab a trash bag, hop in a boat, and join in the effort.