Lake’s Big Sweep termed successful

The shores around parts of Lake Waccamaw are cleaner today, thanks to about 65 volunteers who showed up Saturday for the annual Big Sweep Litter project.

The volunteers, under the supervision of Lake Waccamaw State Park personnel, removed trash that filled a dump truck and a pickup truck in the Saturday morning sweep.

Park Ranger Jonathan Short said the group concentrated its efforts on roadsides and beaches within the park, including the area around the mouth of the Waccamaw River, and in the Bella Coola area.

The river mouth area has long been the scene of unsightly trash thrown out mainly by partying people who frequented the sparsely inhabited site.

Since the area was purchased by the state, the Division of State Parks personnel have built a parking lot and have stabilized the lake shore with stone, making the area around the dam more attractive.

Short said he was impressed with the work done by the volunteers, who were treated to a cookout at the conclusion of the cleanup.

“We were well impressed by the turnout, and we wish to thank everybody who helped,” Short said.