For more than 35 years, the Lake Hartwell Association (LHA) has worked to preserve the beauty and health of Lake Hartwell through community action and membership support. This fall, that tradition continued with the Fall 2025 Splash Away the Trash Clean-Up Event, held Saturday, September 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
In partnership with Lake Hartwell Partners for Clean Water and Palmetto Pride, the event brought together volunteers, boaters, and families, all working to protect the lake for generations to come.
A Growing Tradition
This year’s event saw impressive community participation. Volunteers joined predetermined sites or hosted their own clean-ups with supplies provided by LHA. Boaters, canoeists, and kayakers played an important role by collecting debris from islands and coves that are harder to reach.
The highlight for many was the scuba diving clean-up at Broyles Landing, a tradition introduced in 2023 that has quickly grown in size and impact. What began with just seven divers has now expanded to 20, who focused their efforts on the northwest side of Apple Island, also known as SC Party Island Lagoon.
The Impact So Far
Since the program’s launch in Fall 2022, the collective results have been outstanding:
- 705 volunteers
- 2,100+ hours of service (valued at more than $63,000)
- 857 bags of trash removed, totaling 34,273 pounds
- 42 tires and 64 dock floats were cleared from the lake
Each year, participation grows and the impact deepens, proving that small, consistent efforts add up to significant change.
Events like Splash Away the Trash show the power of community teamwork, environmental awareness, and stewardship. Every bag of trash collected, every tire hauled out, and every hour volunteered is a step toward ensuring Lake Hartwell remains safe, clean, and beautiful for families, recreation, and future generations.
Good things happen when communities come together. LHA thanks every volunteer, partner, and supporter who made Fall 2025 Splash Away the Trash the most impactful yet.
Together, we are preserving the lake we love.