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The Seabin has been a welcome addition to the continued beautification efforts of Fontana Lake. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star -
Normally reserved for other bodies of water, the Seabin has performed wonders for Fontana Lake, which has won awards for its clean-up efforts in recent years.
Fontana Dam – Nestled in-between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest of Western North Carolina, Lake Fontana forms the southern border of the Great Smokies.
It also happens to be the largest lake in Western North Carolina – providing more than 10,000 acres of recreational water surface – and Fontana Dam is the highest dam east of the Rocky Mountains, at 480 feet tall and 2,365 feet across. The history of this lake dates to World War II, when it was created to generate power for the top-secret Oak River National Laboratory, which developed the atomic weapons of war in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Fast forward to today and Fontana Lake continues to make history, as it is the first lake in the country to receive the Seabin.
Created in Australia, the Seabin is a cross between a pool skimmer and a trash can. Its purpose is to clean the water of plastics, microplastics, microfibres, oil, fuel and more. It is installed on a floating or fixed structure, where a water pump draws water to the surface of the unit and a filter captures the plastic and trash. The water then flows back out of the unit.
There is also a fuel diaper to catch the fuel that may enter the water as well.
This is the first Seabin to be used in a lake. It was donated to Lake Fontana after Fontana Marina won the “Ripple Effect” award from the Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful Association in 2020, for gathering 200,000 lbs of trash. Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit that serves as the first affiliate in the nation to focus solely on a river. The organization’s coverage area covers seven states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and Virginia.
Fontana – with its tributary rivers and streams – are an angler’s paradise, with a diverse fish population providing spectacular fishing opportunities. Campers and hikers love to explore the Appalachian Trail, which crosses Fontana Dam. The 238 miles of shoreline provide a natural habitat for many species of wildlife such as black bears, bobcats, foxes, bald and golden eagles, otters, turkeys and deer.
The lake has also become a habitat for garbage dumped accidentally and knowingly, which leaches deadly toxins into the environment and reduces the quality of the lake and the Little Tennessee River. In turn, the aquatic and terrestrial wildlife suffer from the carelessness of litter.
In order to have a Seabin installed, the host must provide electricity, regular maintenance and keep track of the quantity of litter collected each year. Fontana Marina Manager Brandon Jones said the Seabin collects around 2,000 pounds of trash each year.
Maintenance consists of emptying the pump daily and making sure it is in working order – a small chore, considering the benefits that the Seabin has provided.
Fontana Lake is a beautiful asset to Western North Carolina. It is used by some to make a living, some to enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming and for all to enjoy its breath-taking beauty.