HERKIMER, NY — What should be a quiet place to fish and unwind is now raising serious concerns for people who use it.

A local resident, Gene Zimmerman, says he discovered what appears to be heavy dumping and possible hazards along the Mohawk River near the Captain Samuel Maytan Fishing Access Site on April 14, 2026.

What he found wasn’t just an eyesore — it could affect anyone using that area.

“The whole area has been trashed,” he said.

According to Zimmerman, the area included piles of garbage, debris along the riverbank, prescription bottles, and at least seven shopping carts pushed into the water.

But here’s where it starts hitting closer to home.

This isn’t some abandoned stretch of land.

People actively fish here. Families come here. Dogs run through this area.

And now, there are growing concerns about what might be in that water — and what people could be exposed to.

Friends who saw the footage raised concerns about needles, broken glass, and contaminated debris, all within reach of areas used by the public.

“It’s like what do you do?” Zimmerman said. “On one hand it’s a human being… on the other they’re destroying the area.”

That balance is real — but so is the risk.

Because if trash, carts, and unknown waste are ending up in the river, the question becomes:

What’s going into the water — and what’s coming back out of it?

Zimmerman says he reported the situation to Herkimer Police on April 14 at approximately 12:49 PM and sent documentation directly before leaving the area.

As of now, there has been no confirmed public update on cleanup or safety measures.

UPDATED “BIG QUESTION” SECTION

The Bigger Question

This isn’t just about trash anymore.

It’s about:

  • People fishing in that water
  • Potential exposure to hazardous materials
  • Environmental impact on the Mohawk River
  • Public safety in a shared community space

Because if people are pulling fish out of this water…

They deserve to know what’s going into it.