This photo was from the FIJI Regatta in 1987.  Man, those were the days.  Wonder how much of these rafts are still at the bottom of the Red Cedar?

We all like our rivers clean. I think.

It was 1988, and my fraternity, now defunct Alpha Delta Phi, was involved in the annual Greek Week Festivities, including the annual FIJI Regatta.  I was recruited – I can’t remember, but probably a case of beer convinced me, to jump on our hodge-podge of a vessel and join the rag tag fleet on our beautiful Red Cedar River to victory from the Bogue Street bridge to the Auditorium building. We decided to strap six empty beer kegs together with rope, a few pieces of plywood on the top... and away we went.

We never made it. About halfway through, the contraption fell apart and into the river we went (about half of us Greeks took a bath). But, what I remember most was... well, the SMELL and TASTE of the Red Cedar River water. I made it to shore, and puked my guts out in disgust. From that point forward, I’ve been a fan of finding ways to clean up our beautiful river. It is pretty, in a, well greenish muddy sort of way. Mind you, much of that is the natural sediment running down the river – or so they tell me. But, there’s also gotta be spill off, pollution, and God knows what else garbage in the river. Right?

Well, a parade of MSU students, faculty, and community activitists (MSU-WATER they call themselves) shook their fists at the television this past weekend and said “screw you” to the Big Game against Michigan. Instead, they did the honorable thing on behalf of us environmentally-friendly football fans: they helped to clean up the river.

Their findings, according to the State News?

A futon, shopping cart, desktop computer ("damn thing crashed on my homework!" How many times have YOU wanted to throw that piece-of-shit PC into the drink?), three bicycles...  And, who knows what else.

But, you know what?  The River is the cleanest its been in... 50 years.  According to Great Lakes Wiki, you can find baby rock bass, rainbow darters and other fish, insects and other creatures. If things are living in it, it can't be THAT filthy.  OR can it?

Let's do what we can to keep it clean.  According to Ingham County Drain Commissioner Pat Lindemann, "Constant site plan reviews, townships putting in new subdivisions, fixing old storm water systems - it's a constant struggle."  So, get involved in your community to ensure drain systems have adequate protections.  Groups like MSU-WATER help clean up the area... but so does personal responsibility; um, like not driving your moped into the river.