In 2027, FOSCR is planning to research and do all we can to bring trash traps to the Nogales Wash.
Why trash traps?
Current trash pick-ups are an inefficient way of dealing with the tons of trash that come from the Nogales Wash.
Trash trap technology
Trash traps are devices installed in creeks, rivers, and storm drains to capture floating litter, plastic waste, and debris from stormwater runoff before it flows into larger bodies of water and the ocean.
Ideas for trash traps on the Nogales Wash and Santa Cruz River
- Traps have to be close to the source of the trash. If they are far away from the source, the trash breaks down into small particles and seeps into our drinking water.
- Our river fluctuates between dry, gentle flows and violent storm-driven floods (like San Diego).
- Trash traps have to be designed not to break during these surges. One option might be a trap that can float with paddles (like San Diego).
- Our idea is to have three locations for trash traps in the Nogales Wash.
Location one: near the Americana Hotel and Church’s Chicken
- Bolted into the concrete walls, set up on a slant across the wash corridor and leaning over from the top.
- Made out of something like railroad ties and built to catch all items 3 feet or larger in size, such as carpets, appliances, trees, cars, fuel tanks, tires, cows, and human bodies.
- Designed so that water and smaller items pass through.
- Items will be pushed to the side. We need to avoid a buildup that creates a new dam.
- Requires an excavator on call to scoop out the debris and take it to an appropriate dumping site. Debris will build up during flood events only.
Location two: near the Arroyo Motel
- Made to catch all items between 1 and 3 feet in size, such as toasters, small tires, and bike parts.
- Requires an excavator on call to scoop out the debris and take it to an appropriate dumping site. Debris will build up during flood events only.
- There may be hazardous waste such as car batteries, industrial fluids in containers, and sharps.
Location three: near Buffort Ranch
- Made to catch all items smaller than 1 foot, such as paper, cups, plastic, and bottles.
- This can be done with a net across the Nogales Wash.
- The owner of Buffort Ranch is open to discussing this being set up on his land.
- One idea is to redirect our river trash clean-ups by asking people to come to this location to clean it up and deposit the trash in a roll-off box.
- Another idea is to find a way to slow the flow of the Nogales Wash here, so that after a flood the trash drops to the bottom and a tractor can scoop it up.
The future impact of trash traps on the Santa Cruz River
- Usual storm flows bring trash and debris all the way from the Nogales Wash to Amado.
- In years with many flood events, the small trash particles will flow all the way to the Colorado River.
We need ideas, engineers, and help. If you can contribute, please get involved.