The following tips for lake debris removal were originally penned by Steve Meyer, HLWID Board Chairman, long-time resident on Hayden Lake, and experienced debris hauler.  

Timing:

1. The best time to pull wind-blown junk – like logs and broken-down dock parts – off your shoreline is a few days after high water. Don’t wait too long, or some of the heavy logs will get stranded, and you’ll have to wait until the water rises again next year.
2. The two weekends before the deadline.
3. Don’t miss the waste drop-off period. Deadlines are strict.

Preparing your debris for transport:

1. Tie your debris together with old rope that you don’t mind leaving at the disposal site. Retired water ski poly ropes work great.
2. If you make a big raft of lake junk, use a stout rope for your tow line. You’ll bring this home with you.
3. Take a loose 15-foot piece of junk rope to tie up your stuff at the disposal site.

Making the Trip

1. Anticipate a slow trip. A big bundle of old logs or dock sections will be cumbersome, and slow is best.
2. A power pole on the north end of the sandbar is the only navigation aid when the water is high in springtime. Stay to the left of the power pole. Have your 1st mate watch the lake bottom on the starboard side of your boat.
3. Once you are 150 yards past the sandbar, look to your right to see the county road at the upper southeast corner of the bay. Head toward the road.
4. Up near the top of the bay, tie your debris to a bush stem on the eastern shore. If there are already other docks or lake junk there, it is OK to tie yours to the stuff already moored there.
5. Please do not leave your raft of junk loose in the bay. Ensure your tie-up is secure. The wind will blow loose stuff to the shore, which creates a hazard and annoys the shoreline property owner.

Thank you for helping keep Hayden Lake clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.