Saturday is National Public Lands Day, and more than 100 people came out to help clean up Pineview Reservoir.
Saturday is National Public Lands Day, and more than 100 people came out to help clean up Pineview Reservoir. As its water level dips because of a water pipeline project, odd items have surfaced, including cars and a grenade.
The U.S. Forest Service partnered with the Ogden Valley Watershed Action Group to take advantage of the low water levels and remove trash that is normally submerged.
Volunteers wearing safety vests and carrying trash bags walked along what could be mistaken for a grassy field. In reality, it was the exposed bed of Pineview Reservoir.
“While it’s low, we gotta take every opportunity to clean it up, right? Make sure we get rid of some of that debris, other hazards that might be in the reservoir,” said Amy Khan, a nearby resident who came to help with the effort.
The dropping water levels have revealed unusual debris.
"There’s been automobiles, and kayak paddles and lots of sunglasses and—inadvertent things that people have lost. Crocs,” said Jim Richardson, who also lives nearby and helped with the cleanup.
Last week, two young men found an old grenade while bowfishing, prompting the activation of a bomb squad. Richardson said volunteers also found a lot of trash “that, yeah, shouldn’t be there because people have you know dumped it overboard.”
The U.S. Forest Service told 2News the trash could affect natural resources in the area.
“A lot of the trash, especially today, has been underwater for so many years. It could really mess with the vegetation, the aquatic life, so it’s really important to make sure everyone stays healthy. It’s a water source for our whole Ogden area, so it’s very important for us to keep that clean,” said Liz Hill, who works for the Ogden Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service.
“The Forest Service will do the big cleanup, the heavy equipment to pull out the old drums and old tires and stuff, but we’ve asked the community to help pick up the garbage,” said Trina White, an organizer with the Ogden Valley Watershed Action Group.
People told 2News they estimated more than 100 volunteers spent Saturday combing the newly exposed beaches.
“It’s probably been years since we’ve been able to see some of the debris that’s landed on the bottom, and it’s great to be out here with others trying to clean this place up,” Khan said.
Officials reminded people recreating at the reservoir to pack out everything they bring in and leave no trace.
