What we’re about
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, 5.300 volunteers have participated. They have removed 4,300 tires and 13,000 bags (that's 130 tons!) of trash and litter in 305 events, including those in our Adopt-A-Shoreline and Adopt-A-Feeder Stream Programs. About 15 miles of shoreline have been cleaned with another 10 miles of critical sections to go.
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 (1)
See all- 2025 Annual Fall CleanupNeeds location
Location TBD - Stay tuned for updates!
This event is part of several larger events:
- The National Environmental Education Foundation's National Public Lands Day.
- Keep Durham Beautiful's Big Sweep 2025 celebration!
In event of bad weather on November 2nd, we will postpone to the following Sunday, November 9th.
WHERE TO MEET
TBD.ASSIGNMENTS
WALKERS: You will be divided into groups at registration.BOATERS: Boaters are needed to haul trash back to the dumpster at the Corps Bulkhead. We will loan 2-way radios to boaters for communication.
LIABILITY WAIVER FORMS
All participants must complete a liability waiver form online BEFORE THE EVENT.Waiver forms for Adults and Minors (age 11-18) MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE by going to:
Adults- https://www.cleanjordanlake.org/volunteer-waiver
Minors- https://www.cleanjordanlake.org/minor-waiverAGE 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
• Shoreline Track Captains to lead volunteers
• Bags, gloves, trash grabbers, first-aid kits, large on-site water containers
• Coffee and pastries during registration
• Pontoon boat and operator courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of EngineersTRASH 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.
WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
Since 2009, we have held 1,000 cleanup events, attracting nearly 12,000 volunteers to our cause. Beauty and wildlife habitats have been restored along 30 miles of the worst impacted shoreline. More than 23,400 bags of trash (roughly 234 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 5500 tires, many still on rims, to boats and off again at boat ramps to stack for pick up by Liberty Tire.
