Cross Lake Clean-Up Day: Kayak, protect water supply

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Did you know that Cross Lake is the primary source of Shreveport’s drinking water supply? Yes, the lake is also used for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing.

Shreveport Green is inviting the community to their Cross Lake Clean-up, where you can enjoy a complimentary lunch, help with the clean-up, and protect the drinking water this Saturday, April 26.

“The reason why we are focusing on Cross Lake is- I don’t know if everybody realizes it, but the litter that’s on the side of the road often gets swept up with these big storms that we have, and then it goes directly into our drinking water. So what we’re doing is a bigger effort with a bunch of different entities to get in the water and clean it up where it drains out into the bayou,” says Shreveport Green’s Executive Director, Lauren “LJ” Jones.

She says that people unfortunately dispose of tires in the lake, which absorb toxins and debris from the roadways, ultimately affecting Cross Lake and the drinking water supply.

“Things like tires, for instance, you know, there are a lot of tires that go into the lake. And when you have a used tire that’s been on the road, it often does pick up toxic elements like lead or arsenic, because that’s just naturally existing in the asphalt that’s on our roadways. So when you put that into our drinking water, it’s really hard to get that out of there,” says Jones.

The nonprofit will deploy four cleanup teams, three ground crews, and one water crew, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing until 1:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 5315 S Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport.

After the cleanup, volunteers are invited to enjoy lunch and drinks at the after-party, located at 5315 S Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109.

Shreveport Green’s Cross Lake Clean-Up schedule:

• 8:00 – 8:30 AM: Team assembly, safety briefing, gear handout, and zone assignments
• 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Movement to zones and clean-up begins
• 9:00 – 11:00 AM: Active clean-up
• 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Equipment check-in & lunch (provided by American Legion).

Shreveport Green encourages individuals to register so they can have the appropriate number of Kayaks, life vests, and gear required. Waivers are required at check-in, along with complimentary coffee to help fuel the volunteers for their day.

“We just look forward to finding ways to connect people back to nature, whether that’s through litter cleanups, growing food, planting natives, doing workshops or experiments, or any type of water treatment. That would be really cool. So come on out,” says Jones.

Shreveport Green notes that if it rains, the event will be rescheduled for May 10, 2025.

For more information on the Cross Lake Clean-up Day, contact alegionpost14@yahoo.com or call (318) 635-8186.