A person in the lake pushing a large chunk of styrofoam onto the shore with a pontoon boat in the background and person with a bucket on the shore.

Chunks of old styrofoam were removed during the 2024 Shore Sweep event.

This year’s Shore Sweep spilled over into the following week as sponsors and staff continued the annual lake cleanup.

“We were surprised at how much trash and debris we were able to remove this year,” said Bonny Putney, director of the signature event by Lake Lanier Association. “We actually ran out of dumpster space at Gainesville Marina, Van Pugh Park, Balus Park and War Hill Park and had to dump them and bring them back and refill them the Monday after.”

In addition to manpower, the event uses heavy equipment and commercial dumpsters.

Putney said that thanks to Martin Dock, Southeastern Dock Supply and Hall County Solid Waste, the excess garbage and debris, including a large amount of dock foam, was removed by Monday afternoon.

To learn more about the success of Shore Sweep 2024 and how you can get involved in the annual cleanup next year, visit the organization’s website at www.lakelanier.org.

Photos: courtesy LLA