ALBANY/BRODHEAD - The Lake Winnetka/Sugar River Improvement Association organized the 21st annual Sugar River Cleanup on May 16. This was the second year that the group teamed up with members of the Decatur Lake Millrace Association and the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association.
With the involvement of multiple associations, there were more than 100 people cleaning up the river, starting from County X bridge about halfway between Dayton and Attica on the Big Sugar River and down from Schneeberger Road on the Little Sugar River. They continued through Albany's Lake Winnetka and Brodhead's Decatur Lake all the way to the Nelson Road bridge near Avon Bottoms. This was the longest stretch of Sugar River ever covered at the Sugar River Cleanup.
The Sweet Minihaha and Crazy Horse campgrounds provided the use of canoes as a shuttle service. The Albany Mini Mart, Brewers Center Tap and the Dam Near Home Bar and Grill in Albany, Gempler's Market in Monticello and Piggly Wiggly in Brodhead supplied food and beverage. The DNR provided the dumpster to handle the trash; the Albany American Legion allowed the organizations to use the Legion building; and the Albany police and fire departments supplied volunteers and had staff assigned in case of an emergency.
Most of the trash in the river is found downstream of Albany. Upstream, the majority of the work done is involved with creating a navigable path through fallen trees in the river. Downstream of the Albany bridge to Decatur Lake there was much more trash pickup. From Decatur Lake to Avon Bottoms, both trash pickup and tree work is being done because much of this area is being worked on for the first time. Most of the trash items found this year were of the typical nature with food and beverage containers taking the lead. Tires, shelving, lawn chairs and a television also were found.
With the involvement of multiple associations, there were more than 100 people cleaning up the river, starting from County X bridge about halfway between Dayton and Attica on the Big Sugar River and down from Schneeberger Road on the Little Sugar River. They continued through Albany's Lake Winnetka and Brodhead's Decatur Lake all the way to the Nelson Road bridge near Avon Bottoms. This was the longest stretch of Sugar River ever covered at the Sugar River Cleanup.
The Sweet Minihaha and Crazy Horse campgrounds provided the use of canoes as a shuttle service. The Albany Mini Mart, Brewers Center Tap and the Dam Near Home Bar and Grill in Albany, Gempler's Market in Monticello and Piggly Wiggly in Brodhead supplied food and beverage. The DNR provided the dumpster to handle the trash; the Albany American Legion allowed the organizations to use the Legion building; and the Albany police and fire departments supplied volunteers and had staff assigned in case of an emergency.
Most of the trash in the river is found downstream of Albany. Upstream, the majority of the work done is involved with creating a navigable path through fallen trees in the river. Downstream of the Albany bridge to Decatur Lake there was much more trash pickup. From Decatur Lake to Avon Bottoms, both trash pickup and tree work is being done because much of this area is being worked on for the first time. Most of the trash items found this year were of the typical nature with food and beverage containers taking the lead. Tires, shelving, lawn chairs and a television also were found.
