Power for Progress Week of February 21, 2022

The scenic shoreline of Grand Lake
Each year, volunteers with Grand’s “Adopt the shoreline” program do their part to help preserve this scenic view.

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority 

Adopting the shoreline …

Although winter has not let go just yet, it is never too early to start planning for warmer days spent on the water and the water’s edge. Of course, Grand Lake offers miles and miles of scenic shoreline as the perfect backdrop for those days. However, a scenic, and safe, shoreline does not just happen on its own. In fact, there are plenty of lake area enthusiasts who are helping to keep it clean each year.

They are all part of efforts like the “Adopt the shoreline” program, which was established back in 2017 through a coordinated effort between the Grand River Dam Authority, Grand Lake Power Squadron, Grand Lake Association, “Grow with Grove” Steering Committee and community volunteers. It was patterned after a very successful program on Lake of the Ozarks and has benefitted Grand Lake ever since, because of the work of a dedicated team of volunteers.

According to GRDA Superintendent of Shoreline Enforcement Scott Horton, GRDA and other partners realized the need for the ongoing, coordinated cleanup program after routine aerial surveys of the lake shore. While efforts like “Lend a Hand for Lady Grand” have been successful for many years on Grand, the shoreline adoption effort expanded both the reach and volunteer base for cleanup efforts.

As part of the program, the shoreline is divided into 10 zones, with a coordinator for each zone who organizes cleanup events. GRDA supplies trash bags for the effort and will also be paying the disposal costs for all approved program cleanups. GRDA is also staffing its own full-time shoreline cleanup crew, complete with a barge and the equipment necessary to remove large debris from the shore.

With summer boating season slowly moving this way, it is a good time for new volunteers to get involved in the effort. For more information, you can visit the program’s website at www.grda.com/adopt-the-shoreline, and select the “how to join” tab. You can also contact Horton at (918) 256-0894 for more information. 

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency.