There's a local citizens group from West Shelby County that’s working to clean up the Lake Pinkston dam and boat ramp area so their families and others can enjoy the waters for recreation safely.

 

Christal Williams said the effort was started by a few friends that enjoy taking their children to the lake to swim and fish, adding as children they enjoyed the free family time afforded and wanted to do the same for theirs and others.

 

Ms. Williams said what is known as the Lake Pinkston swimming area had become extremely littered, over grown and overtaken by the Sylvania and Hydrilla that grows in the water.

 

Last Saturday a group met and mowed, shoveled up broken glass and made an attempt to rake out the vegetation. She adds it’s a goal to incorporate more of the community and make the clean-up of Lake Pinkston a monthly effort, with plans to expand to more areas of the reservoir.

 

Center City Manager Chad Nehring told us the city owns the lake for drinking water purposes, and does regulate some usage and maintains the dam, but as for providing upkeep of a swimming area--no. Actually, Nehring said there is not a designated swimming area at Lake Pinkston.

 

He said as for roadways at the lake, Shelby County is responsible, and noted private funds were used to construct the boat ramps, which the city has done some minor repair on.

 

County Commissioner Roscoe McSwain advises several years ago he would provide a dump truck for local residents to use on clean-up days at the boat ramp. He said most of those that would take part have gotten where they can’t anymore.

 

Nehring said the city has tried to get hydrilla and other growth removed as it can impact the water intakes with no success.

 

Texas Parks & Wildlife's relationship with Lake Pinkston is managing and monitoring the fish habitat.

 

Ms. Williams says her group is hoping to find some type of funding for possible purchase of trash barrels and other items for a picnic area, even possible markers for the "unofficial" swim area and a herbicide for controlling the growth.

 

Anyone interested in helping should contact Christal Williams via Facbook or at 936-572-1835.

 

Lake Pinkston was impounded in 1976 and covers some 523 surface acres, 10 miles west of Center near the Aiken Community.

 

The "unofficial" swim area of Lake Pinkston has no boundary ropes and is littered. A group of West Shelby County citizens are working to clean up the area so their families and others can enjoy. Center Broadcasting Photo