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Lakeside River Cleanup Removes Nearly 10 Tons of Trash

By Santee Pulse Staff ยท Published July 12, 2026 ยท 3 min read

Source: ABC 10News

Lakeside River Cleanup Removes Nearly 10 Tons of Trash
Photo: ABC 10News

A Lakeside nonprofit has removed nearly 10 tons of trash from former homeless encampments along the San Diego River, according to ABC 10News. The cleanup follows earlier reporting on conditions along the river corridor and the debris left behind at multiple encampment sites.

The Lakeside River Park Conservancy is leading the effort, with crews clearing garbage, abandoned belongings and hazardous materials from the area. ABC 10News reported that the debris included items such as bicycles, tables, furniture and electronic waste.

Robert Doty with the conservancy told ABC 10News the group had removed just shy of 10 tons of material over four days. Organizers said the work is not finished, with additional sites still needing attention.

For Santee and Lakeside residents, the cleanup matters beyond appearance. The San Diego River corridor connects communities across East County, and large debris buildups can create environmental problems, fire concerns and quality-of-life issues near homes, trails and open space.

The conservancy's work is expected to continue as crews move through remaining sites along the river area.

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