Diving Deeper for a Cleaner Lake: SEML’s 3rd Annual Lake Bottom Cleanup
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Save Eagle Mountain Lake (SEML) is once again joining the TRWD Fall Trash Bash—but with a unique focus that goes beyond the shoreline. While many will be collecting litter from parks and public spaces around the lake, SEML is turning its attention to what’s beneath the surface.
Our 3rd Annual Lake Bottom Cleanup at Party Cove is driven by one simple belief: a healthy lake starts below the waterline. Submerged trash poses serious risks—not only to fish, turtles, and other aquatic life, but also to swimmers, boaters, and anglers who enjoy the lake year-round. From broken glass and tangled fishing line to hidden metal and plastics, this debris accumulates where it can’t be seen but still causes harm.
By removing underwater hazards, we’re helping restore critical habitat, improve water quality, and ensure that Eagle Mountain Lake remains a safe, clean, and beautiful place for both wildlife and people. It’s a challenging effort—but one that reflects SEML’s deeper commitment to long-term lake stewardship.
This year, we’re proud to team up with ASCUBADIVING, a professional scuba diving company based in Azle, Texas, to bring additional expertise, dive coordination, and safety support to the operation. Their team of certified divers will work alongside SEML volunteers to ensure that this year’s lake bottom cleanup is not only effective, but also conducted with the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.
With decades of experience in recreational and commercial diving, ASCUBADIVING brings deep knowledge of underwater navigation, recovery techniques, and environmental awareness. Their involvement allows us to reach deeper, more debris-prone areas of Party Cove and to remove larger or more complex underwater hazards that would be difficult to tackle without specialized training and equipment.
As a trusted local business, their partnership also strengthens the community connection behind this initiative. This collaboration reflects what SEML values most—local solutions, shared stewardship, and practical action to protect the health of Eagle Mountain Lake.
Why Party Cove?
Known officially as Old Ranch House Slough, Party Cove has long been one of Eagle Mountain Lake’s most iconic gathering spots. Located off the shoreline of Eagle Mountain Park, this scenic cove is a favorite destination for boaters, swimmers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Its calm waters and natural setting make it a great place to anchor, connect with friends, and enjoy the lake.
But with high traffic comes high impact.
Party Cove tends to collect more trash—above and below the waterline—than nearly any other part of the lake. Over time, this debris threatens both water quality and aquatic life, and it poses safety hazards for those enjoying the area.
That’s why SEML launched the Lake Bottom Cleanup initiative three years ago: to go beyond traditional shoreline cleanups and restore the health of the lake from the inside out.
A Partnership That Goes Below the Surface
This year’s partnership with ASCUBADIVING brings a new level of professionalism and precision to the cleanup. With their certified divers and safety-first protocols, we’re able to expand the reach of our efforts—accessing deeper areas of the cove and retrieving submerged debris that’s often overlooked.
Together, our goals are to:
Remove litter from the lakebed and shoreline
Improve water quality by reducing pollutants and debris
Restore aquatic habitat for fish and other wildlife
Enhance recreational safety for swimmers, boaters, and anglers
Engage the community in long-term stewardship of the lake
Whether it’s discarded fishing line, broken glass, beverage containers, or other hazards, every item removed makes a difference—for the lake, for wildlife, and for the people who love and use it.
Looking Ahead
Party Cove is just the beginning. SEML is actively identifying other areas of Eagle Mountain Lake that need similar attention—both above and below the surface. Our vision includes expanding cleanup operations, improving lakeside trails, and deepening our environmental education efforts with local partners and youth organizations.
If you care about the health of Eagle Mountain Lake, there’s a place for you in this mission.
Want to get involved in the Lake Bottom Cleanup or support SEML’s year-round work?
Email us at comments@seml.org or follow us on Facebook for upcoming opportunities. To register for this year's Lake Bottom Cleanup, go to the REGISTRATION page.
Together, we can keep Eagle Mountain Lake clean, safe, and beautiful for generations to come.
