Organizers said that the first effort to clean up trash and debris from dry areas of Lake Brownwood was a great success on Saturday, August 13.

“We disposed of about 100 tires and roughly two tons of garbage from the lake bed,” said Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Marketing Manager Ray Tipton.  “We are excited to head back to the lake this weekend and continue our effort.”

Tipton said that about three dozen volunteers helped in Saturday’s effort and concentrated on the lake bridge and Mountain View areas of the lake.  Rain moved in Saturday morning as the cleanup effort began, but that did not slow down the volunteers.

“We got soaked,” Tipton said.  “But everyone enjoyed the cool wet weather, and it didn’t really slow us down any.”

A second cleanup day is scheduled for this Saturday, August 20 from 7am-11am.   Volunteers who want to help in the cleanup effort can meet at the public boat ramp near the spillway where a roll-off dumpster will be available.  Volunteers are asked to arrive at 6:30am for additional information.

“We appreciate all of the help from our volunteers last Saturday,” said Cary Perrin from Keep Brownwood Beautiful.  “We encourage everyone to come out and help with this weekend’s cleanup.  It really makes a difference.”

Owners of waterfront property are also asked to clean up the dry area around their property, bag up the trash, and bring it to the designated point for disposal at the boat ramp.

Officials will carry the collected debris to the Brownwood landfill at the end of the cleanup.  Property owners and volunteers are reminded that only man-made trash and debris from the lake can be collected.  Bagged garbage from the lake bed can be placed into the roll-off dumpsters.  Metal, tires, and other similar objects may not be thrown into the roll-off dumpsters, but will be accepted separately.  No rocks, brush, stumps, trees, etc. may be removed from the lake bed and those helping with the cleanup are not allowed to drive vehicles on the dry areas of the lake.

Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, hard sole shoes, and sunscreen.

For more information about the Lake Brownwood cleanup, call Ray Tipton at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535.

Pictured above are volunteers during the cleanup.  Additional photos below.