Tons of water hyacinth (lilas) covered part of the Ozama River in the Dominican Republic after heavy rains fell on a recent Monday across several zones including the Greater Santo Domingo area. ^[1] Since early on the Tuesday following the rains, brigades from the Dominican Navy have been removing the water hyacinth at the floating bridge over the Ozama River, where the plants compact before continuing toward the Caribbean Sea. ^[2] The concentration of water hyacinth occurs when the Ozama and Isabela rivers rise due to rains in their upper and middle basins, according to the article's reporting. ^[3] The presence of the water hyacinth evidences the high level of contamination of both the Ozama and Isabela rivers, the article states in its own voice. ^[4] Clean Rivers DR announced that its 2026 charity golf tournament will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at PGA Ocean's 4 in Bahía Playa Nueva Romana, Dominican Republic. ^[5] Clean Rivers DR reports that it has planted 10,700 plants, including 2,000 red mangrove specimens, on the banks of the Ozama river. ^[6] Clean Rivers DR, founded on March 22, 2024, for World Water Day, reports that its 'Yo Cuido' program has impacted 572 children and young people through environmental workshops and aims to expand into communities in the Isabela river basin. ^[7] Elizabeth Mena, executive director of Clean Rivers DR, said in a statement that each registered golfer becomes a direct ally of the rivers, with participation financing environmental workshops, planting days, and educational programs for communities along the Ozama and Isabela rivers. ^[8]