2011 Lake Wylie Riversweep a Giant Success

The 10th annual Riversweep was very similar to most of the previous October clean ups:

• We had a stellar day, with beautiful fall temperatures and bright sun;
•  David Mathein and the T-Bone's team had the Buster Boyd site set up and ready for action;
•  Eager, enthusiastic volunteers -- from young scout troops to seniors - showed up earlier and in large numbers, ready to help;
•  We pulled a lot of the same trash and junk out of the lake -- and some strange and curious items as well;
•  There were more dumpsters than the year before, and we filled all of them;
•  The after party was well-attended and enjoyed by all.

The 2011 event also had many firsts:

• Online pre-registration helped organizers coordinate the volunteers more effectively;
• There were more registered boat captains than in any past event; 
• We welcomed Food Lion as a major sponsor.  Mark Miller and more than 40 members of his Food Lion "family"  came to their first Riversweep with food -- and cooked lunch for all the volunteers after the cleanup;
•  And, we gathered, pulled out and cleaned up about one-third less trash from the lake -- 8 tons less than 2010.  The organizers see this as a very hopeful sign.  

CD Collins said, "I think the lower trash amount is a positive indication that we're actually making a difference -- that in the past nine years, we've been able to truly clean up the lake.  We may be reaching a point where we will be able to reduce it more and more each year."

"The increase in volunteers and the decrease in trash collected are strong indicators that local residents continue to care deeply about the condition and water quality in Lake Wylie," said Ellen Goff.  "The public is working to end littering and illegal dumping into the lake. That's a huge step forward in maintaining a clean lakefront, from Mountain Island to Rock Hill."

For a summary of the amount of trash removed by category, click here.

For more information about Lake Wylie Riverseep, click here.

___________________________________

Catawba Riverkeeper is particularly grateful for the leadership of Lake Wylie Lakekeeper Ellen Goff, many long-time volunteers, and our wonderful sponsors.

Partner Sponsors

Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

Lake Wylie Marine Commission

Lake Wylie Covekeepers

Business & Individual Sponsors

Medical Gas Training & Consulting, LLC

Edwards Grading Service, Inc.

York County Community Foundation

York County Hospitality Tax Foundation

T-Bones On The Lake

Food Lion of Clover/Lake Wylie

Dock Masters Marine Construction

West Marine

Lake Wylie Pilot