This is an annual event where volunteers gather at several locations to go out and collect litter from shoreline around High Rock Lake. After a few years of difficulties presented by the pandemic, the 2022 High Rock Clean Sweep bounced back and was quite successful. Volunteers in Davidson County and in Rowan County managed to get between four and five tons of trash out of the lake. If you have a boat, please bring it. If you don't come on out anyway and jump on board with someone and lend a hand picking up litter around the lake. Check out the website https://www.hrlcleansweep.org/
2022 HRL Clean Sweep pics
2021 HRL Clean Sweep Picture Gallery
For many years there was an annual effort to get people together and pick up the manmade trash that litters High Rock Lake. Below is the story of how two men who grew up on the lake and are trying to rekindle the High Rock Lake Clean Sweep.
Shane Graham, Lexington, N.C. and Barry Childers, Salisbury, N.C are lake residents and business owners who
learned firsthand how to make a difference more than 25 years ago, following their respective fathers in
actively participating in the CleanSweep. Both men want to ensure the lake community can enjoy all that High
Rock Lake has to offer for generations to come. A committee was formed a few years ago. “We have something special here with our natural resource in Rowan and Davidson Counties, and when the community comes together, it’s a win-win,” said Graham, president of HRLCleanSweep LLC, a 501C3 non-profit.
In prior years, more than 20,000 lbs. of trash has been collected over the one-day community service event.
Committee members will be on hand to distribute approved community service hours for schools and other
organizations that participate.
Cube Hydro returns as a Platinum sponsor and is providing gloves, trash bags, and plastic boat deck coverings
for the volunteers. Supplies will be distributed the morning of the event at both sites. “Cube Hydro is proud to
be associated with this grand effort among the lake residents and the surrounding communities for such a great
cause,” said Karen C. Baldwin, Property Compliance Supervisor, Eagle Creek Renewable Energy/Cube Hydro
Carolinas.
The HRL CleanSweep committee continues to increase its presence in the community through sponsorships,
such as returning Community partners Childers Marine Construction, Domino’s Southmont, Yadkin Riverkeeper,
High Rock Lake Association, Swing Insurance, and Uwharrie Real Estate. With COVID-19 safety measures in place, volunteers are asked to wear masks when in the collection areas and will not be able to jump onto unfamiliar pontoon boats. Volunteers without boats are still encouraged to participate and can work at targeted coves. Dumpsters are being provided by Rowan County, and Best Disposal Inc, Lexington. Graham is hoping to get out as many volunteers as is safely possible this year, making sure that social distancing is maintained to ensure that the event continues safely and responsibly. “Even during this
time, volunteerism is essential to keep HRL suitable for year-round recreation,” continued Graham. Yadkin Riverkeeper and ‘Keep Davidson County Beautiful’ will be handing out supplies and assisting with trash
disposal at the Southmont access area. To sign up to volunteer go to:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/events/2021/9/18/high-rock-lake-clean-sweep or contact the Yadkin
Riverkeeper at 336.722.4949.
For more information, please contact Shane Graham at 336. 596.0428.
Below is a segment from WGHP-TV about the event's history
The story is filed by Chad Tucker and is part of the "Roy's Folks" series.
2019 Clean Sweep
