Sportsman Park Clean Up

October 3, 2025

Local Scouts Remove 4,000 Pounds of Debris from Hayden Lake

More than 20 Scouts from Scouting America Troops 222 and 3 spent a full day improving water quality at Hayden Lake, removing over 4,000 pounds of dried plant material from the shores of Sportsman Park. With help from volunteers from the Hayden Lake Watershed Association, the Scouts raked, bagged, and hauled debris that had washed up during spring high water and later dried along the shoreline.

Removing the plant matter helps prevent nutrients—especially phosphorus—from re-entering the lake next spring, where they could fuel harmful algal blooms (HABs). University of Idaho Limnology professor Dr. Frank Wilhelm estimates the project removed up to 10 kg of phosphorus from the system. HABs have been an increasing concern on Hayden Lake, prompting public health advisories in recent years. The Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District is currently working with a DEQ grant to evaluate nutrient reduction strategies.

The Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District and the Hayden Lake Watershed Association each contributed donations to Scouting America in recognition of the Scouts’ meaningful conservation work and community impact.