What We Do

WHO We Are

The Boone Lake Association (BLA) is one of the oldest established environmental groups in the state of Tennessee. It was formed in 1983 to oversee the water quality of Boone Lake. Why is there a need for such an organization? Boone Lake is the most used lake for its size in the TVA chain. It is surrounded by five municipalities, three of which discharge wastewater into the lake or its tributaries. Boone Lake has a unusually large watershed for its size spanning over 600 square miles. There are over 600 streams and tributaries that feed Boone Lake.

There is no single governmental entity that has comprehensive responsibility for the cleanliness and water quality of Boone Lake. TVA monitors some elements of the lake’s water mainly having to do with its hydroelectric operations. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation does some monitoring of the lake’s water in the summertime, but does not have the funds or manpower to carry on a comprehensive, ongoing monitoring and cleanup program. Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency does some water testing and monitors aquatic life in the lake, but here again does not have the manpower to execute a broad water quality program. And no governmental organization has a program to collect trash and debris that washes into or is dumped into the lake.

Boone Lake Association is the only organization with a comprehensive year-round program to collect and dispose of trash and debris from Boone Lake. This program removes large logs and other objects that would be a hazard to boating. Each year the association collects hundreds of tons of trash from the lake. Hundreds of old tires dumped in the lake are collected and properly removed. Thousands of feet of limbs, trees and old lumber are collected and removed. This effort takes our volunteer members along with a number of paid employees. BLA has and maintains three boats used exclusively for this cleanup effort. If you are a user of Boone Lake, you’ve probably seen our boats on the water. They work out of marinas on both the Watauga and South Holston arms of the lake. The Association works with all of the governmental agencies striving to get Boone Lake the attention it needs to preserve its water quality for the thousands of people who enjoy the lake.

The Boone Lake Association is truly a grassroots organization. Traditionally it has been funded solely by contributions and the dues of members. We receive no tax dollars or government grants. One hundred percent of the money collected goes to our mission of keeping Boone Lake clean for people to enjoy. However the need continues to grow. More trash and debris are being washed into the lake. Trash continues to pour into our lake from an ever increasingly trash-strewn country side via roadside ditch-lines and streams. The Boone Lake Association has to grow to meet these needs. To grow we must have the support of people who have an interest in or enjoy using Boone Lake.

WHAT We Do

The Association employs a 2-member crew year-round and an additional part time crew during the summer when necessary, who pick up and dispose of trash and debris from the lake, monitor water quality, clean up slicks, and respond to our litter hotline. We clean boat ramps, TVA primitive campgrounds, feeder tributaries, and exposed shoreline. Each year the Association collects hundreds of tons of trash from the lake.

WHEN We Do It

Our crew works M-F, year- round as weather permits. Additionally, the BLA sponsors an annual clean up the last Sat in April. 2020 marks our 21st consecutive clean up!

WHERE We Do It

The BLA crew cleans all 4400 acres of Boone Lake and accessible exposed public shoreline.

WHY We Do It

BLA contributors are concerned citizens who care about the cleanliness and safety of Boone Lake. If you use the lake you benefit from our year- round clean-up operation. If you live on the lake, a clean, environmentally safe lake protects your property values. If you care about public safety a hazard free lake is of benefit to all.