Saturday at noon, Ben and Candace Winkler broke out the snacks, bags, gloves and hot dogs to start the annual canal cleanup project in Catasauqua. The project started years ago and makes a dent in some of the trash that accumulates in and along the canal.

“Everything from Front Street and probably further up washes down into the canal,” said Candace Winkler, who took over organizing the project a few years ago.

One problem that was readily apparent during the current rain-filled spring was that the canal can hold water. However, Larry Snyder was prepared for this reality. The self-proclaimed fisherman came to the cleanup with waders in hand.

“Seemed sensible to me, considering how much rain we had,” he said.

He and his friend Josh Sell took care of the immediate problem of trash accumulating in the stream waters.

A key element in the Iron Works project, the canal will be part of the stormwater detention plan.

Canal cleanup happens noon every year on the Saturday before Earth Day.

Volunteers are always needed. If it rains a lot in April, bring your waders.