Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton and courtesy of the Smith Lake Civic Association
On Thursday, September 19, the Smith Lake Civic Association (SLCA) completed a successful two-day cleanup event on Smith Lake, focusing on the Walker County span from the dam to Duncan Bridge. This biannual event is crucial to SLCA’s ongoing efforts to preserve the lake’s natural beauty and environmental health.
The SLCA, established in 1976, is a non-profit organization dedicated to monitoring and addressing Smith Lake’s environmental concerns, particularly those related to cleanliness, safety, fish habitat, and recreational use. With a membership typically ranging between 200 and 300 individuals, the association has been instrumental in initiating various projects aimed at protecting the lake and its surroundings.
During last week’s cleanup, volunteers collected a wide variety of debris, including pool floats, a paddle boat, tires, shoes, and a significant number of loose dock floats, which have become common due to the lake’s fluctuating water levels.
“These cleanups give us a chance to share with the community, most of which are full-time residents at the lake, that we care about where we live and how it looks,” said SLCA volunteer Steven Boyd. “We also care about the environment and wildlife around here, so these cleanups and other projects we complete throughout the year help to support that.”
Randy Stone, another SLCA volunteer, added, “I participate in the cleanups because I live on the lake, and I like for it to be nice when I have visitors. Now that I am retired, I’m able to help more, and I enjoy it.”
These cleanups are conducted in partnership with Alabama Power Company’s Renew Our Rivers initiative. Alabama Power, which manages 14 hydro facilities along several Alabama rivers, plays a pivotal role in these efforts, providing boats to help with cleanup, as well as lunch and handwashing stations for volunteers.
“Smith Lake is so beautiful but also massive, so there will always be debris in the water. We’re so glad that volunteer efforts are in place to mitigate that. If it weren’t for these volunteers, there’s no telling how bad it would get, so providing lunch is just a small way for us to express our appreciation,” said Morgan Willis, Team Leader of Alabama Power Shoreline Operations at Smith Lake.
The cleanup efforts are vital to maintaining Smith Lake as a premier destination for recreation and a thriving habitat for wildlife. Through these collaborative actions, the lake continues to be a cherished resource for all who live on and visit its shores. WL
