Norris Lake cleanup to launch on Saturday from two marinas
Bags of litter collected from the shores of Norris Lake and its islands are carried ashore at the Anderson County Park in this photo from a Norris Lake Project Team cleanup event held in March 2022. There will be another cleanup this coming weekend launching from two locations on the lake on Saturday morning. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
One event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Norris Dam Marina, 1604 Norris Freeway, and continue until 1 p.m., according to the Norris Lake Project Team, organizer of the weekend’s cleanups.
Volunteers will launch from the marina and work along the shoreline on the Anderson and Campbell County sides of Norris Lake. Lunch will be served at the end of the event, at Norris Dam Marina.
Boat transportation will be provided for volunteers needing rides, but anyone who has a boat is invited to bring it to join the cleanup effort.
Volunteers may register in advance online at norrislakeproject.com/cleanup-registration-form-ndm for this part of the cleanup effort, or they may register the morning of the event.
The other Saturday morning event will begin at 9 a.m. at Hickory Star Marina, 1360 Hickory Star Road, Maynardville.
This will be a “paddle-only” effort, and will also end at 1 p.m. It requires advance registration at norrislakeproject.com/cleanup-registration-hickory-star/.
For this one, volunteers will launch from the marina using kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards or any other paddle vessel, and work along the shoreline.
Motorized vessels will not be allowed to participate in this event, but are welcome to participate in the cleanup that begins at Norris Dam Marina.
For the Hickory Star event, “volunteers are welcome to bring their own vessels, but staff from Big Ridge State Park will be on site to loan kayaks to participants,” according to the organizers.
Prior registration is required so that enough vessels will be made available. Equipment usage is limited and is on a first come, first served basis.
During these events, volunteers will clean up the lakeshore near the launch points and on nearby islands. Participants are encouraged to bring life jackets.
Trash bags will be provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority at all of the locations.
Participants are encouraged to bring gloves and wear tennis shoes, boots, or other shoes with treads because the lake banks will be muddy.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult and have a registration and release form signed by a parent. Would-be participants may also call 865-457-4547 or email info@norrislakeproject.com for more information.
The Norris Lake Project Team is a 501(c3) charitable organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and conserving the natural resources of the Norris Lake Watershed area.
Managing partners are the Anderson County Tourism Council, Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Claiborne County Mayor’s Office, Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council, Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris Dam State Park, Big Ridge State Park, Anderson County Litter Grant, and Campbell County Litter Control.