Watertown to Open Temporary 4th Ave Yard Waste Site Next Week

Watertown Announces Temporary Opening of 4th Ave Yard Waste Site for Community Drop-Off Next Week.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - With spring cleaning in full swing, the City of Watertown Public Works Department has announced the temporary opening of the 4th Ave SW yard waste drop-off site.

Starting Tuesday, April 14, residents will have a five-day window to dispose of seasonal yard debris free of charge before the site closes for the season on April 18.

Event Details & Location

The site is located on Fourth Avenue SW, approximately two blocks east of Municipal Utilities near the Big Sioux River.

·        Dates: April 14 – April 18, 2026

·        Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Daily

·        Eligibility: Open to City of Watertown residents only.

·        Requirement: Residents must present a recent utility bill to access the site.

Drop-Off Guidelines: What is Accepted?

To ensure a smooth process for everyone, the city has established specific guidelines for materials and packaging.

Accepted Materials	Size & Container Requirements
Vegetation	Leaves, grass, and garden waste.
Bushes & Branches	Standard yard trimmings.
Tree Limbs	Must be under 6 feet in length and 6 inches or less in diameter.
Packaging	Waste must be bagged, boxed, or placed in 95-gallon containers.

Note on Bags: While standard bags are accepted for transport, the city explicitly allows compostable bags for disposal.

Important Restrictions

Residents should note that loose yard waste will not be accepted at the 4th Ave site. If you are hauling loose debris, you will be redirected to the city landfill.

However, there is good news for those with larger loads: from April 14–18, the landfill will offer free disposal for tarped loads (including branches under 6 feet) for residents who provide a recent utility bill.

Looking Ahead

Once the 4th Ave site closes at 6:00 PM on April 18, all subsequent yard waste must be taken directly to the landfill for proper disposal. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this localized drop-off window to clear out winter debris and prep their lawns for the summer heat.

For more information, residents can contact the City of Watertown Solid Waste Division.

4th Ave Yard Waste Site in Watertown is set to open soon from April 14 to April 18, 2026. Located on Fourth Avenue SW, the site will accept free drop-offs of leaves, grass, vegetation, bushes, branches, and tree limbs up to 6 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length.