Lake Conway cleanups begin April 18

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host the first of three community-wide cleanups for Lake Conway from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. April 18-21 along the shoreline of the 6,700-acre lake in Faulkner County.

According to Nick Feltz, the regional fisheries supervisor at the AGFC’s Mayflower office who is heading up the Lake Conway renovation, the cleanups are the best way that lakeside landowners, anglers and members of the Conway and Mayflower communities can help revitalize the lake during its planned renovation.

“We have had many people who asked at public meetings what they can do to help with the project,” Feltz said. “These cleanups are just as important to our finished product as any other component of the renovation. With dozens of miles of shoreline being exposed during the drawdown, tons of litter that was left by previous generations and debris that found its way into the lake during storms and tornadoes is now accessible to remove.”

Feltz says the cleanups are best done during this stage of the renovation because of the vegetation anticipated to grow on the lakebed as the water remains lowered.

“Right now all that trash is visible and relatively easy to get to,” Feltz said. “As the grass and brush grows on the lakebed and provides excellent habitat for the future fishery, it will make moving around and finding the trash much more difficult.”

Feltz has identified six locations for dumpsters to dispose of trash from the lakebed:

1. Pierce Creek Access
2. Highway 89 Bridge Access
3. Paradise Road ArDOT Pull-off
4. Lawrence Landing
5. Adams Lake Access
6. Palarm Creek Access

“We positioned the dumpsters where they will be the most beneficial for cleaning up the shoreline nearby,” Feltz said. “In addition to recommended cleanup areas listed on maps at dumpster locations, we have a lot of landowners who will want to clean up the shoreline directly in front of their homes and the dumpster locations are easy for them to drive to as well.”

Feltz says participants can show up at any of the six locations to register and get supplies while they last. Trash bags, reusable mesh bags, garbage pickers and water will all be available at each dumpster location.

“We also can supply some rubber gloves and disposable gloves, but people may want to provide their own leather or heavy gloves in case they need to pick up broken bottles or sharp metal objects,” Feltz said. “Having some calf-length rubber boots also may be helpful as you walk along the shoreline, as the ground can be soft in some spots. Don’t venture too far into the lakebed and stay on firm ground.”

Feltz says participants may also want to wear bug spray and bring sunscreen for their day of helping Lake Conway’s appearance.

Additional cleanups will be held in mid-May and mid-June. Feltz also points out that people are encouraged to responsibly clean up litter from the shoreline at any time, but these events have been scheduled to offer added supplies and organization to make the cleanup process more enjoyable and successful.

Visit www.agfc.com/lakeconway for more information about the cleanups and about the renovation of Lake Conway. You can also contact Feltz at nicholas.feltz@agfc.ar.gov to coordinate your cleanup activities or learn more about the project.