Spring Cleaning Starts Now!
As a good neighbor and steward of Hayden Lake, you’re invited to participate in the 2026 Lake Debris Removal Program. This annual effort helps remove large floating debris and shoreline junk that can clutter the lake, create navigation hazards, and impact water quality.
June 15 is the deadline for delivering debris to the
Mokins Bay collection site.
Helping Keep Hayden Lake Clean and Safe
Winter weather can leave a surprising amount of debris behind. Ice, wind, and rising water can push dock materials, logs, barrels, and other large debris into the lake or onto the shoreline. These materials can create hazards for boaters, affect water quality, and diminish the natural beauty of Hayden Lake.
The Lake Debris Removal Program helps the community safely dispose of large debris that may be difficult to remove or transport on your own.
Use a contractor for old dock removal and replacement projects. The Lake Debris Removal Program is intended for large debris left behind by winter weather and lake conditions.
What Residents Should Know
Spring cleanup often means clearing branches, driftwood, and debris from shorelines, docks, and boat slips. Residents are encouraged to responsibly dispose of routine household and property waste through standard waste management services or the landfill.
If you are replacing a dock this spring, please work with your contractor to properly remove and dispose of old dock materials. The program cannot accept removed or replaced docks or composite decking materials.
Together, we can help keep Hayden Lake clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
Stage lake junk for removal at the back of Mokins Slough.
Not this year!
You will not need a permit to participate in the 2026 debris removal program.
If you have any questions, please contact the Hayden Lake Manager, Todd Walker, at 208-771-0525 or email contact@haydenlakewid.com.
- Trees, branches, other snags dislodged from the lake bottom or shores by winter weather and high water.
- Old lumber broken from derelict docks, i.e. float logs, beams, planking, etc. that have broken free from old docks.
- Derelict docks without known ownership that have been driven into the lake or onto non-owners’ shores by wind and wakes.
Please do not dispose of fabric, plastic (other than blue barrels), or metal parts from watercraft, lawn furniture, toys, garden waste, or other small trash at the collection site.
Mokins Bay, behind the sandbar, at the back of the slough, on the right/southeast end of the county road where it intersects with Camp Mivoden’s drive.
Do not leave debris on or near the sandbar or untethered in the bay.
Timeline
- The best time to get wind blown junk off your shoreline is a few days after high water. That will probably be in mid May. If you wait too long, some of the heavy logs will get stranded on your shoreline and you’ll have to wait until next year.
- The best time to leave your waste at the staging site is the first weekend in June.
Towing and Tethering
- Tie your debris together with old rope that you will leave at the disposal site. Retired water ski poly ropes work great.
- Take a loose 15’ piece of junk rope with you to use to securely tether your stuff at the disposal site.
- If you make a big raft of lake junk, use a stouter rope for your tow line. You’ll bring this home with you.
- Anticipate a slow trip. A big bundle of old logs or dock sections will be cumbersome and slow is best.
Reach out to your next-door neighbors and offer a helping hand, even if you think they don’t need one.
If you have a boat and can voluntarily help a lake resident collect and move their debris, please let us know. We’ll keep a list and connect you with neighbors in need.
Call: Hayden Lake Manager, Todd Walker, at 208-771-0525
Email: contact@haydenlakewid.com.
Debris is accepted for disposal only while the water is high. High water is necessary to float grounded debris and for safe transport to the collection site. It is also needed to lift the waste from the lake.
Around the beginning of June, the water level begins to recede. June, then, is the contractor’s window for doing their heavy lifting. If we push too far into that window, the contractor may not be able to complete the work before the water falls too low, and the debris will have to remain in the slough until next spring.
While experienced residents have recommended transport on the June 6-June 7 weekend, the Improvement District will accept junk lumber and debris through June 15.
No. If you are repairing or replacing a dock that you own, please don’t use the Lake Debris Removal Program to manage your waste. This would place an inconsiderate burden on the Improvement District and your neighbors that could compromise other HLWID programs that you enjoy. Instead, have your dock-building contractor responsibly remove and dispose of your old dock.
Taking care of Hayden Lake is a collaborative community effort. Most residents are grateful for the Lake Debris Removal Program and participate in it respectfully, for the good of all. Occasionally, people seek to take advantage of it for their personal benefit. People may also disagree with the process and attempt to block it in ways that can harm residents and boaters.
Please follow these guidelines if you see program-related activity that doesn’t meet expectations:
- Treat others with utmost respect.
- Share program and contact information.
- Contact the Hayden Lake Manager, Todd Walker, at 208-771-0525 or email contact@haydenlakewid.com.
Contact the Hayden Lake Manager, Todd Walker, at 208-771-0525 or email contact@haydenlakewid.com.
