As the water levels decrease at Lake Brownwood, more trash and debris have been found along the lake line with reports of some radioactive material being found.  According to Brown County Water Improvement District General Manager Dennis Spinks, there have been a few items refused at the local metal recycling businesses because of some items having minute readings on a Geiger counter.  Spinks stated that the district has found only a few pieces of pipe where radioactivity has been registered, and the amount of radioactivity is miniscule and not enough to compromise the quality of the water at the lake or make anyone sick.

“This has been an ongoing problem, the pipes have minute readings,” stated Spinks.  “There is no danger to the lake or any person.  We have not experienced a lot of it and what has been found is just barely detectible.”

Spinks explained that when the lake was first built, it was very common for builders to use old oilfield pipes in construction of docks.  The oil and sediment that ran through those pipes at times was radioactive which left trace amounts in the leftover pipes.  It is against the Brown County Water Improvement District’s rules and regulations now to use any oil field materials in the construction of docks.

Spinks said that the biggest issue with the radioactive pipe is that the metal recyclers will not accept it and it is very costly to dispose of otherwise.  Since they were unable to sell this radioactive material, they came up with a way to manage it.  According to Spinks, a cement slab was being poured by the district and they used the pipes for reinforcement, which sealed in the radioactive particles.

Spinks spoke of the recent lake clean ups and said there is more to be done.  With the lake levels low, there is a lot of junk and treasures to be found.  He explained that the lake has been around for 75 years now and what residents are seeing is an accumulation of about 30-40 years of recreational trash from the lake.  More volunteers are needed to help the cleanup efforts continue, Spinks said.

“There’s a lot of treasures out there,” said Spinks.  “There have been quite a few people with metal detectors out looking. There’s no telling what you might find.”

Spinks stated that he personally found a speed square, a good boat anchor and a Zebco 33 rod and reel under his dock.