Two Years After Flood, New Way to Report Waterway Debris

More than a dumpster of debris consisting of household items and wooden pallets has been collected from along the banks of Mill Creek near I-24.

There’s a new hotline for Nashvillians to report waterway debris that still remains from the 2010 flood. At least a dozen such sites have already been identified in Davidson County.

One is the area around Mill Creek, which overflowed its banks and flooded a portion of I-24.

Michael Cain works with the Harpeth River Watershed Association, which is helping with the clean up. He pointed to a pile of pallets, black shipping foam, and children’s toys. Cain even saw a jar of Mexican jello from a restaurant swamped by the flood.

“It’s a pretty massive amount of trash and debris and we’re finding as we go poking in, the pile gets bigger and bigger as we, I don’t know, just find more.”

Cain says the debris affects water quality, recreation, and it can lead to erosion problems. In addition to calling the hotline, Nashvillians can upload photos and describe the type of flood damage they’re still seeing.

It’s taken two years because damage to waterways falls through the cracks of government emergency management. The Community Foundation is paying for the program with money from its flood relief fund.

Call the Harpeth River Water Association at (615)-790-9767, ext. 223 to report findings. A link to the online reporting form can be found HERE. Hands On Nashville, a volunteer resource center, is partnering with HRWA in the debris assessment and restoration efforts.