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Drought Making It Easier To Find Garbage In Area Rivers

GURNEE, Ill. (CBS) -- This year's drought has had many negative effects, but it does have at least one benefit.

As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, because river levels are down due to the drought, it has been easier for people like Paul Klonowski to find garbage dumped into the Des Plaines and DuPage rivers.

Klonowski and others regularly go out and fill canoes with all sorts of garbage.

"We've pulled out computer parts; pulled a bathtub out of the DuPage River earlier this year. Toilet bowls, kitchen sinks – no doubt, you name it, it's been pulled out of there," Klonowski said.

Klonowski is the volunteer coordinator for the Lake County Forest Preserve District river stewardship group. He himself is also a volunteer.

Klonowski and others will be out again this weekend cleaning up the Des Plaines River. A major cleanup is also planned on Sept. 15, and Klonowski is looking for lots of help.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports

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