Monroe Lake Appreciation Week

Monroe Lake Appreciation Week scheduled for Oct. 16-22

Are you one of the 2 million people who visit annually for water recreation, hiking, birdwatching, camping, or more? Maybe you're one of over 80,000 people in Bloomington who rely on the reservoir for their drinking water? If so, it’s time to show your appreciation… If you love it, help clean it!

Monroe Lake has partnered with the Hoosier National Forest, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Friends of Lake Monroe, Lake Monroe Water Fund, City of Bloomington Utilities, and the Monroe County Highway Department for a full week of organized trash cleanups and other activities from October 16 to 22 that promote a clean and healthy reservoir.

Complete details for every activity during Monroe Lake Appreciation Week are at http://bit.ly/monroe-appreciate-2023.

There will be 6 trash cleanup events that volunteers can sign up for:
- Monday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m., “Trash Cleanup at the Dam,” details and registration at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-dam
- Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m., “Causeway Cleanup,” details and registration at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-causeway
- Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m., “Wilderness Campsite Cleanup,” details and registration at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-wilderness
- Thursday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m., “Sugar Creek Cleanup,” details and registration at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-sugar
- Friday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m., “Fairfax Friday Cleanup,” details and registration at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-fairfax
- Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m., “Monroe Lake MONSTER Cleanup,” details and registration at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-monster

Each cleanup that a person participates in earns them an entry into a “thank you” prize drawing.

On Saturday, Oct. 21, there will be free tours offered of the Monroe Water Treatment Plant, which turns water from the reservoir into drinking water that is distributed to taps throughout Bloomington. Tours are limited to 12 people. Details and registration can be found at http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-tour1 for the 12 p.m. tour and http://bit.ly/2023-cleanup-tour2 for the 2 p.m. tour.

Interpretive staff at Paynetown State Recreation Area will also offer 3 “drop by” activities with a clean water theme for visitors on Saturday, Oct. 21: “How Long Will It Last” from 10 to 11:30 a.m., “Trash to Treasure: Bottle Ornaments” from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and “The Incredible Journey” from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Throughout the entire week, visitors can also participate in a 5-gallon Bucket Challenge. All you must do is pick up enough trash around the lake to fill a 5-gallon bucket and you could win one of two “boat bags” for use while boating or camping. Details on the challenge are at http://bit.ly/bucket2023.

Entrance fees will be waived for registered volunteers participating in an organized cleanup event with a set start time. Otherwise, the Daily Entrance Fee at Paynetown and Fairfax SRAs is $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plate ($9 per vehicle with out-of-state plates). Indiana State Park Annual Entrance Permits are also accepted.

Questions should be directed to the Paynetown Activity Center at 812-837-9967 or email Jill Vance at jvance@dnr.in.gov.