Lake Minnetonka Clean Up

[mattd]

Has anyone here done this?  Do you need a light?  What are the conditions like?

I'm thinking about giving it a try.

[jasondbaker]

I've done clean-up dives at Minnetonka a couple times.

I think these dives are best done from a boat.  Make sure you have a dive flag and preferably someone in a boat to warn people away.  Stay out of busy boating lanes.  You shouldn't need a light.  Low viz (3-8ft), lots of weeds in the shallows, mucky bottom.  Some areas will have no trash and others may have mounds of trash. 

[cap10bob]

It is a fun time. I've done it for the last few years. Usually they have from 30-100 divers, and 7-20 boats all donated with captains to drive. They have a nice low keyed cold brunch type buffet before going out, then everyone hops on a boat, dives for about 45 minutes, and then compares what is found after. They have pulled out old washing machines, potbellied stoves, steel drums, tires, bicycles, but more commonly bottles and fishing tackle. Generally you can tell the pros with lift bags from the folks just going out for the fun of exploring and making bubbles.

[divingindaytona]

When does this clean up dive go on?

[Terry]

                          Ya I'm game I'll bring my boat the "Impulse" Just need to know when and where!    T

[scubadog76]

Looks like it's set for june 13th

[lunatim]

I'd gladly volunteer my time to help with the clean-up, but I don't have gear at the moment...

[cap10bob]

If you need gear, most dive shops in the area can set you up. some may even offer a package deal if you mention you are going for the lake cleanup. Some years, more shops participate and sponsor than others.

Sounds like the event will be bigger and more organized than prior years. Last year, we arrived around 7:30am, got the orientation and rules lecture around 8:30. went out in the boats around 9am, then back by 11am for sorting and fish tales about the items found and the ones that got away. We were out of there between noon and 1pm after some socializing. They have a nice restaurant and bar there as well. It's in Excelsior next to Maynards.

Lake Minnetonka Association's 8th Annual Clean Up– Saturday June 13, 2009

When: Saturday June 13, 2009
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Divers arrive to prepare for the dive
8:30 a.m. - Boats with divers depart from docks
9:00 a.m. - Breakfast, music and games begin
11:00 a.m. - Divers return to docks for the judging, awards ceremony and door prizes!
Where: The Bayside Grill (get directions)

The Lake Minnetonka Association sponsors an annual lake clean up event every summer. Volunteer SCUBA divers collect trash and treasures from the lake in an effort to raise awareness about keeping our lake clean.

Join us this year for the Treasure Hunt Brunch! While the divers dig up trash and treasure we'll be serving chocolate chip pancakes and a continental breakfast. There will be music and games for the little ones, and new prize categories where the children choose the winners.

The prizes are generally donated by the local dive shops, so you can bag some good stuff at the raffle as well.

If you plan to attend as a diver or a family, please register or RSVP. You usually get a t-shirt as well

The link for the lake minnetonka cleanup registration is:


Hope this helps. Happy diving!
Bob

[jasondbaker]

Hey the clean up website has a picture of the cool anchor I found during the event several years ago:

[Terry]

                            I'm going, just looking for some advice on where to best launch my boat early that morning, THANKS    Terry