FOG cleans up Gile Flowage

GILE, Wis. - More than 400 pounds of trash were removed from the Gile Flowage during the Friends of the Gile Flowage's recent fall clean-up.

"With more people coming to Iron County to discover the beautiful resource we have in the Gile Flowage, it's important to keep it clean and pristine," said FOG president Cathy Techtmann.

The clean-up has taken place in the last month, according to Techtmann, and was capped off with a pontoon boat visit to several of the flowage's islands to collect the garbage left there.

Volunteers traveled to Russ' Island, Twin Island, Wedding Island, Big Island and Peterson's Island, before traveling to the Pence Park boat landing.

In addition to the standard bottles and cans, Techtmann said the group found everything from batteries to furniture on the islands.

Despite the garbage, Henry Shackleford, 12, who was helping clean up the islands with the rest of his family, was optimistic about the state of the flowage.

"Although some islands were not clean, most people are doing a good job of keeping the Gile Flowage in good condition," Shackleford said.

His sister, Linnaea, 9, preferred the islands with less garbage. "I like Wedding Island, because it was clean," she said.

The garbage was taken to the landing at Gile Park, where the city of Montreal had donated a Dumpster for the garbage.

"I would like to thank all of the FOG volunteers, many whom went out on their own to participate in the 2017 Gile Flowage Fall Clean-up and to the city of Montreal, which donated Dumpster disposal for the collections," Techtmann said, adding the clean-up was started by the late Jim Kaffine and has continued since.

For more information on the Friends of the Gile Flowage, or how to join, contact Techtmann at [email protected] or 715-561-2185.

-Richard Jenkins