Volunteers needed for Lake Hartwell’s Splash Away the Trash Day

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Hartwell Dam and Lake Project Office is seeking volunteers for the fall “Splash Away the Trash” event on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in support of National Public Lands Day.

Anyone- families, friends, scout groups, civic organizations, church groups, schools, or businesses – can volunteer to help keep the lake clean by gathering litter and other non-natural debris along the shoreline and islands in and around Hartwell Lake.

There will be 10 locations on Hartwell Lake for volunteers to pick up bags and additional supplies from 9 a.m. to noon, Sept. 26.

The locations are:

In Georgia: Long Point Recreation Area, Rock Springs and Cleveland Boat Ramps, Elrod Ferry Recreation Area and Boat Ramp

South Carolina: Seneca Creek, Twin Lakes and Hurricane Creek Boat Ramps, Larry Abernathy Park, Broyles Recreation Area and Boat Ramp, Sadler Creek State Park.

Volunteers should register in advance and visit one of the areas listed above to pick up supplies.

If volunteers would rather not clean one of the predetermined sites, they can choose another location, such as a section of shoreline, an island, or an access area convenient to them.

Volunteers can arrive by boat or vehicle to pick up supplies or drop off any trash.

Collected trash can be dropped off at the listed locations throughout the weekend.

Hartwell Ranger Annette Dotson says the Corps is happy to be partnering with Lake Hartwell Partners for Clean Water and Lake Hartwell Association on this year’s cleanup.

“Such organizations are an integral part of helping protect one of the Corps of Engineers’ top visited lakes,” Dotson said. “Because the lake is popular, it results in litter along the shorelines, in coves and on the islands, so volunteers are essential to maintaining a clean lake and shoreline.”

For more information and to register, visit the Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Lake Website to view the cleanup flyer and register by QR code, or visit the events page at Lake Hartwell Partners for Clean Water.

For questions, please contact Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Annette Dotson at 706-856-0300, ext. 0305 or Sadlers Creek State Park Manager Raymond Felton at 864-226-8950.