(Memphis) McKellar Lake in Memphis is polluted with millions of pounds worth of garbage, so this month, college students from across the country are spending their spring break cleaning it up.
The problem sparked national attention in 2011.
Since then, the non-profit organization Living Lands and Waters has recruited hundreds of college students.
In four years, they’ve collected half a million pounds of trash.
They expect to collect 150,000 pounds of trash just this month.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. Nonconnah Creek is the source of it,” said Chad Pregracke, president of Living Lands and Waters.
Not only is the garbage flowing from there, it’s also coming from other waterways, plus people are dumping it into the lake.
Pregracke said McKellar Lake is one of the most polluted waterways they’ve cleaned up in the country.
Shelby County and state leaders are aware of the problem.
They thanked the organization Tuesday, and offered support and help.
“When you look at this barge, it just shows that we are very wasteful and irresponsible community when it comes to waste disposal,” said Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.
Living Lands and Waters needs volunteers year round. For more information and to find out how you can help, head to www.livinglandsandwaters.org.