CleanJordanLake

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About us

Clean Jordan Lake is a 501(c)(3) grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the natural habitat, beautifying the shoreline and protecting water quality by removal of trash and litter. Stormwater flows carry large and small trash items from feeder streams into the lake. These deposit on the shoreline of remote coves, for example, along the Haw River Arm of the lake. Litter generated by shoreline recreational use is another huge problem. Although far less in volume than trash from stormwater, litter is more directly in the public eye and pervasive: clean it up and within a month it reappears! Since incorporation in July 2009, 12,600 volunteers have participated. They have removed 5,500 tires and 24,000 bags (that's 250 tons!) of trash and litter in 1,000 events, including those in our Adopt-A-Shoreline and Adopt-A-Feeder Stream Programs. About 30 miles of shoreline have been cleaned.
Details of general public cleanup events are posted on this web site. Groups may schedule their own cleanups or participate in our new Adopt-A-Shoreline program. Visit our website cleanjordanlake.org.

Upcoming events

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Fall 2026 Trash Cleanup!
Sat, Oct 10 · 8:30 AM EDT
Army Corps of Engineers East Access Gate, 2797 Pea Ridge Rd (approximate address), New Hill, NC, US
The area selected for our Fall cleanup is shown on this map:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1u-0mUXsyAi24gS8pbCZKECddfAatYnQ&usp=sharing

We're ready again to tackle another huge load of trash. Our last cleanup of this target area was three years ago.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will assist us.

WHERE TO MEET: End of gravel road that leads from the Corps' East Gate Access off Pea Ridge Rd. The address of nearest house on Pea Ridge to East Gate is 3005. Look for large Clean Jordan Lake banners.

ASSIGNMENTS

WALKERS: You will be divided into six groups at registration.
BOATERS: Boaters are needed to ferry some volunteers to the far end of the cleanup route and help to haul trash back to the dumpster at the Corps Bulkhead. Boaters only wishing to ferry volunteers are welcome. Launch from Poes Ridge Boat Ramps off Jordan Dam Rd., 1.5 miles from cleanup.
We're loaning 2-way radios to boaters for communication.
KAYAKERS: Come to Registration Table at 8:45am to receive assignments from CJL leaders.

LIABILITY WAIVER FORMS
All participants must complete our online liability waiver form.
Waiver forms for Adults and Minors (age 11-18) can now be submitted online by going to:
https://www.cleanjordanlake.org/volunteer-waiver (adults) and https://www.cleanjordanlake.org/minor-waiver (minors).

AGE RESTRICTION
Due to potential hazards, we are not able to allow children under the age of 11 to participate. Children over the age of 11 and under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

WHAT WE PROVIDE
• Port-A-Toilets at Registration Area
• Shoreline Track Captains to lead volunteers
• Bags, gloves, trash grabbers, first-aid kits, large on-site water containers • Pontoon boat and operator courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Coffee & biscuits to start the morning

TRASH TREASURE HUNT
We continue our tradition of offering a Trash Treasure Hunt. Items marked by "CJL TTH" are shown to track captain who will issue a CJL business card redeemable for merchandise prize at registration table.

WHAT TO WEAR
All volunteers MUST wear closed-toe shoes and work gloves (we provide or bring your own)
We strongly recommend long pants, long-sleeve shirt and hat due to briars and poison ivy.

WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
Since 2009, we have held more than 1,000 cleanup events, attracting more than 12,000 volunteers to our cause. By far, the largest turnouts are for our Fall and Spring cleanups that are open to the general public.
Beauty and wildlife habitats have been restored along 20 miles of the worst impacted shoreline. Nearly 25,000 bags of trash (roughly 250 tons!) have been removed. Many other objects are too large to fit into trash bags such as basketballs, propane gas tanks, hot water heaters, car parts, pesticide sprayers, gasoline cans, and pails of industrial adhesives. In addition, volunteers have rolled 5,500 tires, many still on rims, to boats and off again at boat ramps to stack for recycling by Liberty Tire.
28 attendees