Airmen clean up Lake Arrowhead in wake of drought

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When Lake Arrowhead's water levels are normal, trash and debris under the water are out of sight, out of mind. But, with water levels almost a quarter of what it should be, litter scattered throughout the dry lakebed can't go unnoticed.

With Lake Arrowhead drying up and the city of Wichita Falls in a "Stage 4" drought disaster, a weekend at the lake, which historically is a recreational event, was more like a work day. Staff Sgt. Ryan Huck, 365th Training Squadron avionics instructor, and nearly 50 Airmen-in-Training volunteered their day off Jan. 25 to participate in a cleanup at Lake Arrowhead State Park.

"It's good to come out and show appreciation to Wichita Falls," Huck said. "It's Sheppard's way of saying thanks."

Hearing there was a need, Huck, already involved in state sponsored adopt a highway programs, decided he would organize and lead a cleanup crew at the lake.

"The Lake is 16 feet below what it should be," said Joey Hendrix, a Lake Arrowhead State Park interpreter. "We've been trying to plan a cleanup since December, but it has been rained out twice."

According to the Wichita Falls public information office, Lake Arrowhead is only 26.8 percent full. With Lake Arrowhead's water level so low, a lot of trash and debris that would normally be hidden underwater is now exposed. From beer bottles and drink cans to tires and folding chairs, the Airmen spent the day collecting the garbage once hidden below the surface of the water.

"All of that trash affects the environment and endangers habitats for wildlife," Hendrix said. "This was a good opportunity to take advantage of cleaning while the lake is down."

Airmen and other volunteers scattered themselves across the bone-dry lakebed with trash bags and gloves to pick up debris that dates back to the 1980s. Old fishing rods and boat parts also littered the lakebed.

Many Airmen volunteered because they were curious what they would find under the layers of dirt and trash.

"I wanted to see all of the cool stuff that has been collected over the years in the lake," Airman 1st Class Megan Hoseby said, a 365th TRS avionics student.

Other Airmen were motivated by their selflessness as well as their curiosity. It felt more like a treasure hunt for Airmen Victor Williams.

"I am here to find some treasure and help cleanup," Williams said.

"I'm here to help out the community that supports me," Airman 1st Class Austen Campbell said, a 365th training squadron avionics student.

He realizes cleaning up trash from the lakebed benefits more than just the wildlife at the lake, it benefits the community as a whole.

"When the lake rises back up and people do get in the water, they won't get their feet cut," said Hendrix. "As a lot of this debris erodes it goes directly into our drinking water, now that's gone."

Some of the airmen who volunteered told stories about their childhood, growing up and spending countless summer hours, learning life's lessons at a lake very similar to Arrowhead.

"I've always enjoyed swimming in lakes and ponds," said Airman 1st Class Patrick Jones, a 365th TRS avionics student. "I don't like to see them nasty."

After a long, but very successful morning of cleaning up, the Airmen were treated to lunch by the Friends of Lake Arrowhead. Many Airmen sat on what used to be the banks, now just a wall of rocks, to enjoy their meal and look out across the shrunken lake.

"They gave back to the community," Hendrix said. "They are helping keep Texas wild."