Approximately 30 volunteers took place in a cleanup of Amstrong County's Keystone Lake. Submitted Photo

A popular area lake benefited from cleanup efforts conducted by volunteers last month, one fueled by multiple agencies and organizations.

According to Kyle Wirick, waterways conservation officer serving Indiana and eastern Armstrong County, over 30 volunteers collected an industrial dumpster full of discarded debris and litter from public access spots serving Keystone Lake, located near Elderton, Armstrong County.

The 1,000-acre lake is the water source for the coal-fired Keystone Generating Station, owned by a conglomerate of utility companies, and is managed for public recreation by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

According to Wirick, the cleanup takes place every third Sunday in October.

Supporters this year included the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Armstrong County Conservation District, Keystone Sportsman’s Club and the Crooked Creek Watershed Association. Students from Marion Center Area High School’s Earth Project Club attended. Valley Village Gas and Food convenience store donated pizzas. The Keystone Generating Station provided personal protection equipment and the large roll-off dumpster.

“We break up into three groups,” Wirick said. “One group does the area from the breast of the dam to the Atwood boat ramp, hitting all the parking areas, gas wells and the boat ramp. The second group does the parking areas along Fisher Farm Road as well as the NuMine access. The third group goes to Reefer’s Cove.”

Wirick noted improvements have been made to the road leading into the Reefer’s Cove area by the Armstrong County Conservation District. The access is now being used with greater frequency by non-powered boats and kayaks. Black Road leads to this spot.

“With the improvements that were made there we want to keep the area clean for anglers and boaters,” Wirick said, adding volunteers collected a significant amount of debris, including old tires.

In addition to the major access points, due to the low pool level of the lake, folks were also able to branch out a bit to surrounding areas.

During the three years Wirick has spearheaded the Keystone fall cleanup, he’s seen a general reduction in the amount of trash. Much of what was collected this year included tires, discarded home improvement refuse and assorted trash.

Wirick said the cleanup would not be possible without the continuing support of the Keystone Sportsman’s Club and the Armstrong County Conservation District. Both organizations received plaques for their ongoing aid.

Moving forward, Wirick encouraged more of the public to become involved in the cleanup of Keystone Lake, which he considers a gem of Armstrong County.

Unrelated, the WCO also reminds anglers and boaters: as of Nov. 1 cold water regulations go into place. Specifically, this means those in boats less than 16 feet in length, any canoe, kayak or paddleboard, must wear a personal flotation device while on the water. Wirick noted boating fatalities have been cut in half since this regulation has been instituted. The cold water restriction runs until April 30 of next year.

Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.