As the sun cast its golden rays, the sounds of construction and birds chirping filled the air over Cravath Lakefront Park on Sept. 21, the final day of Summer – just in time for the annual waterway cleanup set up by a community organization called Protect Wisconsin Waterways.
“[Protect Wisconsin Waterways] partners up with the American Marketing Association and we help clean up in different areas,” Konjit Huleey said.
Protect Wisconsin Waterways is a stormwater education outreach initiative supported by the Rock River Stormwater Group. The Rock River Stormwater Group is a coalition of communities committed to improving the health of the Rock River and other local waterways.
“Whitewater was just one location out of 10,” said Huleey.
Starting bright and early at 8 a.m., community members gathered near the Cravath Lakefront Community Center to clean up all trash and debris from all around Cravath Lake and along the riverway. Companies such as Generac encouraged their employees to join the clean up.
“I’m definitely enjoying the weather and a break from work while also helping the community and environment,” said Generac employee Jessica Kellner. “I’m having fun, as well. It’s good for the environment. We’ve gotta stop throwing things on the ground just because it’s convenient.”
(Gabe Sadoski)
City government employees showed up to help clean up, as well.
“Materials that get in the lakes and rivers can impact the fish and generally just make the water dirty,” said Public Works Director Brad Marquardt.
Cravath Lakefront Park hosts events for community members year-round. Cravath Lake is also used for fishing and boating.
“Every little bit that we do to keep things out of the lakes and rivers is beneficial to the community and to the whole ecosystem in general.” Marquardt said.
(Gabe Sadoski)
Cleanups took place in Whitewater, Beaver Dam, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Milton, Monroe, Waupun, Watertown, the city of Beloit and the town of Beloit.
For more information on Protect Wisconsin Waterways and to discover when the 2025 clean up will take place, visit protectwiwaterways.org or visit their Facebook and Instagram under @ProtectWisconsinWaterways.
