Background and Beginning

As the volunteer Park Host for the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa, I lived in my motorhome in a spot with full hookups at the entrance to the Oak Shores day use area. From this location, my standard exercise paddle was around Big Island and other nearby islands. I soon began to notice the large amount of styrofoam along the shoreline and embedded in the nearby grass and thistle. The foam ranged in size from small baseball size up to large floats six to eight feet long. More than any other item, styrofoam looks out of place and unearthly. It ruins any semblance of a natural feeling.

Initially, I started picking up the occasional small chunk that I could reach with my paddle without getting out of the boat. I would bring these pieces in on my deck and leave them next to my garbage can for collection. Next I started towing in larger pieces, using them as rafts for piling on other larger pieces and smaller pieces once my deck was full. Soon tiring of carrying these larger loads up to my garbage can, I began leaving loads next to other cans in Oak Shores. This evolved to leaving loads right on the shoreline at the end of the two boat ramps in Oak Shores where the piles could be accessed and carried off by truck. I also tried accumulating piles on Big Island for collection by a Bureau boat but this didn't happen so I ended up towing these piles to Oak Shores as well. Finally, I expanded collection to the entire west shore whenever I did a paddle along the shore.

The Bureau offered full support for collection by instructing the rangers and maintenance to pick up any styrofoam they saw piled along the roads as they did their rounds and patrols. These folks usually travel in pickup trucks so throwing the stuff in back and taking it to the debris bin in the central Administration area fit easily into the established routines. This support was essential for removing the foam from the lake environment.

The source of all this styrofoam is the many docks at the resort marinas. Foam floats get loose from the docks due to wave action during windy weather. Entire docks also drift loose and release foam as they are beaten by wind waves around the lake. The floats are carried by the wind to all parts of the lake. The wind grinds the styrofoam floats against the rocky shoreline, breaking them into smaller pieces and then into fine pellets. All of this styrofoam has been allowed to accumulate over the decades with only occasional attempts at collection. Much of the foam is embedded in the grass near or above the high water mark, stranded there after floods or picked up and blown by the wind. The rest floats serenely at the water line or out in the main lake. Big Island is a focal point for much of this foam as the large blocks sail the length of the lake on the wind. It took about 36 kayak loads over a six month period to clean all of the foam off Big Island.

Excerpted from my personal journal, these are notes and photos made during the styrofoam cleanup.

January 13, 2003

Overcast but warm and no rain. Took a wonderful and peaceful paddle. Started with 1 1/2 hour collecting styrofoam along the south shore of Big Island along with a loose 12-15ft floating pier. Lunch on the north shore of the island. Perfect quiet, mirror surface.

January 23, 2003

During an afternoon break in the rain, paddled around Big Island and collected a large deck load of styrofoam. First large piece towed in as load #3. Warm and beautiful on the calm lake, mixture of subtle and magnificent clouds all around.

Load #3

January 29, 2003

More styrofoam collection, towed in load #5, a large collection.

Load #5

January 31, 2003

Collected load #6 on a pleasant day.

February 2, 2003

Clear dawn after a week or so of morning fog. Paddled and brought in load #7, fairly large tow and deck load. Then off for another day running the Visitor's Center where I made good progress on the trails web site.

February 5, 2003

Beautiful weather continues, bright sunshine, brisk north wind, air extremely clear. Brought in two loads of styrofoam (#8 and #9) from the south shore of Big Island. Huge resulting pile as I am now bringing in the large pieces.

Load #8

Load #9

February 15, 2003

Ahead of an incoming storm, I set out for a standard exercise paddle around Big Island, launching at 9:30AM. My intent was to pick up the occasional piece of styrofoam and then pull in a load of the collected stuff on the south side on my way in. Not to be. As I started collecting small pieces across from Oak Shores, I kept finding ever more and larger pieces. Apparently I hadn't finished this section yet. So I dumped one load at Coyote Beach and headed on around the north side of Big Island. Here I found quite a bit had washed up since my last visit, probably during the strong north winds last week. I had another full load well before reaching the point so I turned back and left the load at the north end of Oak Shores. Then set off to get the load from the south cove. On the way, I found even more stuff across from Oak Shores, some quite large. Ended pulling a huge load over to Coyote Beach where I discovered my previous load had already been picked up. These were loads #10-#12. I met the rangers while I was wheeling the boat back up and mentioned the new pile at Coyote. After changing and putting everything away, I discovered the day wasn't quite done when I spied a large encapsulated float bobbing against the shore below the motorhome. Washed up by the south wind. So I walked around and pulled this piece, quite heavy, out of the water to be dealt with later. Styrofoam cleanup will obviously be an on going process.

February 17, 2003

Today I took a lake tour with the Quail Ridge Wilderness Conservancy. As we motored slowly up the East Shore of the lake, it was disturbing to see the large number of styrofoam blocks lining the shoreline. The foam cleanup will need to expand to this Wildlife Area in the future.

Blocks of Styrofoam on East Shore

February 18, 2003

Paddling into the south cove of Big Island, I discovered that a loose pier I'd seen floating in the lake for awhile had been blown to shore. In addition, a buoy owned by a defunct ski club that I'd been emailing the owner about had also drifted in. I towed large foam chunks from around the cove to the pier, loaded everything onto the pier and spent about two hours towing the entire assembly to Oak Shores, a distance of about a mile. Slow but steady. The rangers immediately descended on the pile and carted it away in several trips. This was the record load (#13).

Load #13

February 21, 2003

More styrofoam pickup (Load #14). Towed the heavy Willi Ski School sign towards Coyote Beach, leaving it on an island along with a broken 5mph sign and a large block of foam.

February 25, 2003

Afternoon paddle around Big Island, picking up load #15 from the north shore on the way. Beautiful sunny and warm day.

Load #15

February 28, 2003

Great weather continues. Hazy overcast but basically sunny. Cool breeze. Spent most of the day on the water, bringing in two loads (#16 and #17), the first from the south cove and the second from the west. This last cove turns out to be surprisingly deep and nice, giving access to the middle of Big Island. The Willi sign was still where I left it so I towed it the rest of the way to Coyote Beach where it was more obvious and also accessible by truck. The Bureau maintenance folks soon cut it up and hauled it off to the debris bin.

Load #16

Load #17

March 4, 2003

Afternoon paddle to clear styrofoam from the shoreline of west cove on Big Island just inside the No Boat buoys. Noticed yesterday that this section was missed during a previous pass. Gathered full load #18.

March 7, 2003

Afternoon paddle around Big Island, bringing in load #19 from the north shore.

March 10, 2003

Paddle around Big Island, collecting load #20 from the north cove from a previously assembled pile. Also picked up a half-full gasoline container and the top of a 5mph buoy which I deposited at Coyote. Final load of accumulated stuff from Big Island! Yeh! Well, except for a concrete float which will have to wait until the Bald Eagle nest is clear.

Part of Load #20

March 15, 2003

Morning paddle around Big Island picking up a deck load of small and medium foam plus a bag of plastic bottles (load too small to count). The rising lake level has floated lots of bottles onto the island. Noticed about two more loads have drifted into the south cove of Big Island. So I'm not done yet. Tossed three large pieces that came in on the wind well onshore for later.

March 16, 2003

Off again in the kayak, this time specifically to pick up a load of large chunks from the south cove of Big Island. The south wind that comes with storms pushes all kinds of stuff into this cove which sticks out into the middle of the lake like a catcher's mitt facing south. Several more pieces had come in overnight and more were evident further out on the lake. I collected stuff into four packages in a medium rain and towed them back (load #21). The large volume of these collections is beginning to be noticed by the Bureau as the debris box fills rapidly and costs $700 a box to have emptied.

Load #21

March 19, 2003

Afternoon paddle for styrofoam in south cove of Big Island. Left towable pieces for later pickup when west wind came up.

March 20, 2003

After yesterday's winds, paddled out for exercise and to see how much foam the storm brought in. Surprised by the amount on Big Island just off Smittles, mostly in the west-facing cove. Collected a full tow load and left it at the north end of Oak Shores (load #22). Continued on around to the north, hefting several large pieces up on shore for later collection. Picked up a deck load on the way. On the south side, towed a large heavy piece to the previous pile for later pickup. Good workout on a fabulous day, mirror smooth with large puffy clouds against a deep blue sky, all reflected off the water.

March 23, 2003

Quick morning paddle out to the south facing cove to tow in a large pile I had accumulated there (load #23).

March 24, 2003

Morning paddle around Big Island with Andrea. We hiked to the top of the highest hill, first time for both of us. Admired the expected gorgeous view from essentially the center of the lake. Beautiful day, clear with a few puffy clouds, warm. Gathered styrofoam in the small cove into a pile for later pickup. Picked up a tow load of large chunks from the north side, pushed on shore previously (load #24).

March 27, 2003

On the water a bit over three hours, absolutely exquisite day. I originally planned to paddle around Big Island, picking up stuff left behind on the north shore. However, the wind was up and I encountered waves when I cleared the lee of the island and entered the main lake. The waves pounding the shore from the north would have made collection difficult. So I worked along the calmer south shore instead and into the south cove. I was able to collect another pile on the shoreline like the one made on March 24. Then I collected more random stuff from the shore and deposited a full load at Oak Shores, with photos (load #25). Good exercise and I enjoy the wind waves.

Load #25

March 29, 2003

Morning on lake, another beautiful day. Nice wind waves, much less styrofoam than expected from the strong winds. Did pull in two large pieces plus a deck full (load #26). Warming to the low 80s, first bathing suits spotted. The season may be on.

March 31, 2003

Great paddle on the lake with Andrea. We first glided along the shoreline of the large island off Patwin Grove looking for "large bones" reported by a couple to me at the Visitor's Center yesterday. We didn't find anything but I'll continue the search on future paddles. Surely a deer carcase. Continuing to the Bald Eagle nest, one of the eagles put on a splendid show on the shoreline below the nest and then on a tree as we drifted by, keeping our distance. We crossed over the East Shore of the lake where we collected large blocks of styrofoam into a large pile near the picnic table. Then we ate and sunbathed in the summer weather. A south wind came up on our return which allowed us to enjoy nice wind waves and a warm breeze.

April 4, 2003

Cool windy weather continues with an occasional rain cell moving by. Spent the afternoon on the lake enjoying the constantly changing weather and wind waves. Picked up a deck load including a bag full of small stuff plus created a new pile of large pieces on the north shore, all brought in by the wind. Call it load #27. Good exercise.

April 7, 2003

Exercise paddle around Big Island, picking up a deck load on the way and adding several larger pieces to one of the growing piles on the island. Load #28.

April 14, 2003

Took an afternoon paddle on an increasingly clear day. Big Island remains delightfully free of styrofoam after the recent winds. Brought in one small deck piece and towed in a larger chuck, both found floating. Load #29. So didn't even need to get out of the boat. Just stroked out and enjoyed the White Pelicans and large puffy white clouds.

April 17, 2003

Afternoon on the lake starting with a nice paddle clockwise around Big Island. Removed one of the two foam piles in the south cove by carrying most back as a deck load. Load #30. Towed several large chunks to the other pile which is growing large.

April 21, 2003

Today I paddled along Smittles Trail and then along part of the Small Island shore collecting a deck load of styrofoam. Load #31. This island will take much less time to clean up because there is a smaller accumulation. Then across to observe the Bald Eagles. As I continued east along the shore of Big Island, a large area of rain moved across to the north, pelting the Cache Creek area. Dramatic view. Rounding the eastern tip of the island, I ran smack into a big headwind coming from the SW. Instead of fighting this all the way back, I retreated into the lee of the island and retraced my route. The rain started on top of me just as I landed below the motorhome after three hours on the water. Great.

April 22, 2003

Easy paddle after lunch to the south cove of Big Island to collect foam blown in by recent winds and add it to the growing pile. Plus collection of a small deck load. Then paddled past Goat Island to Government Point and into the Administration area to leave a large chunk found on the Point and another large block found floating near the Bureau boat launch. Finally back along Oak Shores, collecting yet another large piece and the top of one of the 5mph buoys. Load #32.

Collected pile on Big Island

April 24, 2003

Nice paddle with Andrea around Goat and Big Islands. More Canada Geese goslings running around. Windy for part of the way, just enough to be interesting. For the first time that I can remember, no new styrofoam. Progress.

April 29, 2003

Great paddle around all three islands. Collected a few deck pieces from recent winds. So far, staying up with new foam that blows in has been very easy. Used cell phone for the first time to report a small fishing boat from Spanish Flat blown into South Cove and swamped on shore.

May 14, 2003

Longer paddle, a big triangle to the north point at Narrows entrance, then to the north entrance to Spanish Flat and back north along the shore. Lots of open water paddling on a sunny day with just enough wind for nice easy waves. Glorious. Collected all of the styrofoam along the shoreline between Spanish Flat and the Administration Area where I left it at the Bureau boat ramp. Load #33.

May 19, 2003

First sighting of baby Bald Eagle on the nest during a morning paddle. Picked up a deck load, including a large buoy top, from Small Island. Cleaned out foam blown way up a canyon into the grass. Load #34.

May 21, 2003

Eaglet trying wings. Both parents away from nest sitting at shoreline nearby. Finally decided that I would have to use the kayak to bring in the accumulated styrofoam piles from Big Island. Visitors have been scattering the piles, requiring recollection, a problem that will become more severe during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. So today I brought in a large load (deck plus tow) from the pile in the south cove. Load #35. Sunset Paddle on Lake Hennessey with a group of beautiful women.

Accumulated Styrofoam Awaiting Pickup from Big Island

May 22, 2003

Eagle sitting quietly with parent. Brought in a large load (deck plus tow) from the pile in the south cove to complete removal. Load #36.

May 25, 2003

Early paddle around Big Island to check shoreline. Brought in a buoy top for the second time and took it directly to the debris bin in my van so that it doesn't reappear a third time. Record number of visitors to the VC, many interesting. Steve, the Bureau manager, took a bureau boat out himself today and picked up a large amount of styrofoam from the southern end of the lake.

May 26, 2003

Same paddle as yesterday. I brought in a deck load from the pile on the north shore. Load #37. It will take longer to bring in this pile since it's too far away for towing and all the stuff will need to be paddled in on deck. One eaglet head sticking up above the top of the nest, still too early for eagles to get up, I suppose.

Load #37

Summer, 2003

Styrofoam collection continued during the summer but at a reduced rate because most of the foam was collected during the first half of the year. Also, as the lake level decreases, styrofoam on other parts of the lake settle out on shore and become less mobile. Thus, foam is less likely to be blown into areas (like Big Island) which have already been cleared.

Styrofoam and Signpost from Small Island

September 2, 2003

My year as Park Host ends today. I took a final paddle in the morning, bringing in the final load for awhile, a buoy top and styrofoam bottom from opposite sides of Big Island plus assorted other findings. The Island and surrounding shorelines remain clear of foam, looking good. The paddlers that I frequently saw launching from Oak Shores should have a better experience without styrofoam lining the view.

Final Load as Park Host