River Terrace Tuffboom Installation

New River Terrace Tuffboom Will Keep Tons of Trash Out of The Anacostia River!

We are proud to announce the installation of a newly designed trash boom at River Terrace that will trap waste and reduce trash pollution before it reaches the Anacostia River. This Tuffboom, generously donated and produced by Worthington Waterway Barriers as part of their “Clean Rivers Initiative”, marks another major step forward in the ongoing efforts to restore the Anacostia River. 

Trash pollution is one of the most visible and persistent problems facing the river. With the support of the District Department of Energy and the Environment, AWS launched the Nash Run Trash Trap project in 2009 and the River Terrace Trash trap in 2014, where the Tuffboom is installed, to proactively capture trash where streams enter the Anacostia River – a critical point to intercept trash before it reaches the main tidal Anacostia. 

“The Anacostia River is plagued by trash that negatively impacts water quality, fouls wildlife habitat, and spoils the waterways, shorelines, and parks of the Anacostia watershed with heaps of plastic bottles, cans, wrappers, and other garbage,” said AWS President Christopher E. Williams. “Trash traps are an important tool to combat this pollution, catching and collecting trash before it can get into the river. We are grateful to Worthington Waterway Barriers for partnering with us in efforts to keep the Anacostia River trash-free.” 

In addition to the trash trap being an effective tool to rid the Anacostia of trash pollution, its results provide valuable data to inform local environmental policy. AWS staff and volunteers consistently sort and measure the trash collected at this site, providing data which has helped pass the bag fee law in DC (and measured its efficacy), and the styrofoam ban in DC, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties. In fact, the most recent volume analysis in December 2024, shows that only 0.5% (by volume) of trash collected is Styrofoam, thanks to these bans. While about 45%  (by volume) of waste collected remains bottles and cans, AWS is diligently advocating for bottle bill legislation that will further reduce trash pollution in the Anacostia River. 

The installation of the Tuffboom is the latest example of how AWS combines innovation, community action, and data-driven advocacy to fight pollution and protect the river. View footage of the installation on our Youtube channel!