With Ramsey Dam as a backdrop, members of Austin Rotaract started south down the Cedar River Saturday looking for trash and junk in an effort to further clean the flowing body of water.

It was the fourth year the group took part in the effort that in the past has included everything from hot water heaters to full computers.

“It’s unbelievable, appalling and sad to see what people throw,” Jamie Surdy, vice president of Rotaract, said as he talked about previous trips on the river.

The small group wound its way toward Mill Pond, which Surdy estimated would take about six hours as they pulled junk from the river as they went.

When done, a pile of junk and trash was taken away to be disposed of by the city of Austin.

“The city’s been really good about picking up the trash and to work with,” Surdy said.

Though the group still fills up their canoes, Surdy said it has gotten better over the years.

“It’s much better,” he said. “Dramatically so. It’s visibly so and you can see we’re making a difference.”

Surdy went on to say that he hoped people learn from the example Rotaract and other groups are making by cleaning up the river.

“I hope people see us out there,” he said. “It’s such a good resource.”