The Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District is sponsoring Spring ’20 Lake Debris Collection and Removal. Residents and recreators have begun to notice the effects of winter weather on Hayden Lake. Free-floating derelict docks, logs, blue barrels, and other debris are making their ways through the waters of the lake. Such debris is hazardous to safe navigation. If not propelled by the wind onto unsuspecting shorelines, then it may be delivered to a safe place by the Sheriff’s deputy. If they find floating debris that is large enough to warrant concern, they regularly tow it to the nearest shore, then ground and moor it. As a result, derelict docks and large debris may be marooned on private landowners’ lakefront.

Now is the time for spring-cleaning!

As a good neighbor, you may take advantage of the Spring Debris Removal program to free the lake of abandoned, derelict docks and other large floating debris when, or before, it clutters your shoreline.  If you are repairing or replacing a dock that you own, have your dock-building contractor remove and dispose of your old dock responsibly. Please don’t use the Improvement District’s program to manage your waste. The District accepts debris at the back of Mokins Bay during May only, when the water is high. High water is necessary to float debris for transport to the collection site. It is also needed to lift this waste from the lake. For that reason, the District cannot take material after the cutoff date, ensuring sufficient high-water time to remove what has accumulated. This year, the District will accept permitted derelict docks and debris from this date through May 31st.

To participate:

1. Generate a permit by filling out the form below.  It will be immediately available for download, and it will be emailed to you as well.
2. Enclose the completed permit in a plastic bag.
3. Staple or nail the bag to the debris.
4. Tow the debris to Mokins Bay, past the sand-bar at Camp Mivoden.  Be sure to move it as far back in the bay as possible; do not abandon debris near the sand-bar.
5. Firmly attach the debris to the shore or other tethered material.  No loose debris is allowed as it can scatter and find its way back out into the lake.
6. On or about the first of June, HLWID will contract for the removal of the debris from the lake to a disposal area.

Finally, while the Improvement District has sponsored derelict dock removal for several years, this is the third year of the permitting process. We want to help with spring cleaning on the lake, and at the same time encourage everyone to do their part. If you come up with some great ideas for how to further improve this process, let us know. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our Lake Manager: Todd Walker (208)771-0525

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