Adopt-A-Stream

Application Form


To apply for this program, please complete and submit our online Adopt-A-Stream Application. The application form includes a document with all guidelines and forms necessary to begin participation.

For more information, please call the City of Alcoa's Adopt-A-Stream Program Coordinator at 865-380-4800.

General Program Guidelines


  1. Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County encourages local businesses, civil organizations, watershed groups, church groups, academic institutions, and scout groups to adopt local streams, rivers, and lakes for the purpose of managing litter along stream banks, shorelines, and in waterways.
  2. Typically, a team of two people can cover one mile of a lightly littered stream channel in about one or two hours. Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County suggests groups adopt no less than one mile of a stream or river. Remember the number of volunteers needed for the cleanup will depend on the length of stream or river adopted.
  3. Adopting organizations will be honored with an Adopt-A-Stream sign, which will include the organization’s name. The sign will be posted after the first cleanup.
  4. Each group must include a participating adult of 18 years or older. Individuals under 18 years can participate in a stream cleanup if supervised by an adult. Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County recommends at least one adult per 6 youth.
  5. Adopting groups agree to collect litter on both sides of the stream at 1east twice a year. It is recommend one cleanup in the late spring/early summer and one in the fall. Traditionally, the amount of litter is greatest during these times because of spring runoff and the beginning and the end of the water recreation season. Please return "Stream Cleanup Event Notification Form" prior to cleanup event.
  6. Participants must adopt a stream for a period of three consecutive years. After three years, the adopting organization may renew their designation and agreement, modify their designation (choose a different stream), or terminate the agreement.
  7. The Designated Representative for the adopting group must conduct a safety meeting prior to every clean up to review the supplied safety information. The Designated Representative may conduct the safety meeting immediately before a cleanup; however, this meeting must be held in a safe, appropriate area.
  8. The adopting organization’s Designated Representative must visit a Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County representative at least one week before a scheduled cleanup. At that time, Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County staff will provide the Designated Representative with safety information, gloves and trash bags for every member of the adopting group’s cleanup crew.
  9. The Designated Representative is responsible for notifying Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County staff if any of the adopting group’s participants has a condition that might require special safety precaution or provisions covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  10. Adopting groups' members shall not trespass on private property. Permission from the property owner before entering private property must be secured.
  11. The adopting group is responsible for notification to the appropriate Program Coordinator for location for all collected litter.
  12. Within two weeks of the project date, the Designated Representative for the adopting group must send copies of the sign-in sheets; all completed and signed safety liability release forms and the stream cleanup event notification form to the Adopt-A-Steam Program Coordinator.
  13. Maryville/Alcoa/Blount County reserves the right to deny an adoption request or cancel the adoption agreement of any group.