PHOTO GALLERY: Volunteers pick up trash as part of Columbia Crawdads Stream Team Cleanup

July 14, 2012 | 5:48 p.m. CDT

Volunteers helped clean up streams near Battle Garden on Saturday as part of a Columbia Crawdads Stream Team Cleanup event. The events are held once a month to remove garbage from the city's waterways. According to volunteer leaders, Columbia sits on top of a watershed, and waste from residential and business properties end up in the city's waterways.

Carly Love, a group leader for the Columbia Crawdad Stream Team Cleanup, picks up trash along the banks of a stream near Battle Garden. As bags are filled, volunteers leave them on the ground and pick them up on the return walk. | Amy Bruer

Julie Heise, left, wears rain boots while participating in the Columbia Crawdads Stream Team Cleanup on Saturday. Participants were encouraged to avoid contact with the water due to high E. coli counts. | Amy Bruer

Michael Cheek, 12, attempts to cross a stream that runs through Battle Garden without letting water in his boots Saturday. Cheek volunteered for the cleanup with Columbia Crawdads Stream Team Cleanup. | Amy Bruer

Steve Callis picks up garbage along the banks of a stream near Battle Garden on Saturday. Callis participated in the Columbia Crawdads Stream Team Cleanup event. | Amy Bruer

Volunteers make their way back to the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail after picking up trash along a stream near Battle Garden on Saturday. They participated in a Columbia Crawdads Stream Team Cleanup event. | Amy Bruer