Would you like to get out on the water on a hot summer day? And would you like to be part of an effort that will clean up the Des Moines River in Fort Dodge?

An event this Saturday will give people an opportunity to do both of those things. And as an added bonus, some participants will get to go out on Duck Island in the middle of the river. And don’t forget there will be free food.

We urge anyone who is remotely interested in any of that to sign up to be part of a canoe-based river cleanup that’s being billed as “pickin’ up while paddlin’ down.”

Anyone interested in helping should meet at the boat ramp near the former Sunkissed Meadows Golf Course . Those willing to take a longer trip down the river should gather at 9 a.m. They will be taken to the Deer Creek Access Point north of Fort Dodge, where they will launch their canoes into the river for a 10 mile trip downstream to the Sunkissed Meadows boat ramp.

Those interested in a shorter trip should gather at the boat ramp at 9:45 a.m. They will be taken to the Becker Wildlife Area on 170th Street and will enter the river for a five mile trip downstream.

Once in the water the volunteers will pick up all the litter and trash they can. There will be a couple of places along the route where they can drop off the stuff they picked up so that their canoes don’t get overloaded.

The job is expected to take about three to four hours. When it is over there will be free food at Amigo’s, 280 N. First St.

Saturday’s initiative is a needed community service project that could also be a lot of fun.

To get in on the action, call Webster County Conservation at 515-576-4258.

We encourage people to sign up to be part of this river cleanup adventure.