“CLEAN UP THE LAKE” TACKLES McLEOD LAKE - SEPT 15-19
We’re proud to highlight the work of our partners at Clean Up The Lake (CUTL), a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting plastic pollution and litter in freshwater lakes through hands-on scuba and free diving cleanups, data collection, and community education.
Since their founding, CUTL has removed over 85,000 pounds of litter from lakes across the region. In the Eastern Sierra alone, they’ve completed cleanups at June, Mary, George, Virginia, and Convict Lakes, pulling thousands of pounds of debris, much of it fishing gear, cans, and other recreational waste — to restore the health and beauty of these treasured waters.
Next Up: McLeod Lake Cleanup
From September 15–19, CUTL will take on McLeod Lake, a stunning alpine lake perched at nearly 9,000 feet. Popular with hikers and anglers, McLeod faces the same challenge as many high-use alpine lakes: litter and fishing-related debris below the surface. Over five days, CUTL’s divers will remove submerged litter to protect water quality, wildlife, and the visitor experience.
A Logistical Challenge
McLeod is only accessible by hiking trail, which means every piece of gear must be carried in and out daily. Thanks to the generosity of Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit, pack mules will transport heavy dive equipment up the trail, making this cleanup possible. Outbound Hotel is providing lodging for the crew, while Mammoth Lakes Recreation is assisting in outreach to help coordinate local support! The financial support making this possible comes from a long list of community partners that all started with a matching campaign from Mammoth Lakes Tourism! All our partners can be found by clicking here.
How You Can Help
CUTL is looking for local volunteers to join the effort as:
Free divers
Surface support
Gear carriers
Litter sorters
Inflatable SUP owners
Whether you can join for a few hours or a full day, your help will make a big difference.
Get Involved: Join us as a volunteer! Together, with strong community partnerships, CUTL is making a lasting difference for Mammoth’s lakes — one dive at a time.
Email us - operations@cleanupthelake.org - if you are able to volunteer!
About Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Formed in 2014, Mammoth Lakes Recreation’s mission is to deliver cutting edge sustainable recreation, mobility, and arts & culture opportunities and infrastructure for the benefit of the community and natural environment of Mammoth Lakes. For more information, go to www.mammothlakesrecreation.org.