To the editor:
The Watauga Lake Cleanup on September 9 yielded 8,060 pounds of garbage. This was gathered into dumpsters at Fish Springs Marina in Carter County and Sink Mountain Boat Ramp in Johnson County by 52 volunteers within eight hours.
Much of what was collected found its place in the water and on the shoreline from careless citizens. Careless fishermen leaving their tangled lines and snuff cans, careless moms leaving their child’s dirty diapers, careless boaters who toss their cans of soda and beer into the water as if they assume the lake is their personal toilet. I do not have an answer in battling the litter-prone mentality of these visitors to our lake, but I know the support of these 52 volunteers have made our lake a better place to visit.
A special shoutout to: TVA (especially Martha Podren and her gentle reminders) for their essential grant; Benny Lyons, Solid Waste Director of Carter County; Sandy Hammons, Johnson County Litter Control Officer; Lakeshore Marina for their generous donations of boats and fuel; Fish Springs Marina for the boat and accommodations; Johnson County Chamber of Commerce; Watauga Lake Sailing Club; and all the volunteers who stomped through drift wood and poison oak to pick up after others.
Thank you all for your commitment to keeping Watauga Lake clean and see you next year!

Dennis Shekinah, Secretary
Watauga Watershed Alliance