25 Volunteers Pull Tons of Trash from Idaho Lake

When divers plunged into Lake Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday morning, they weren't searching for treasure. They were on a mission to rescue their beloved lake from years of accumulated trash.

Captain Austin Munda, owner of Marine Rescue Coeur d'Alene, organized the cleanup at Tubbs Hill and couldn't have asked for a better turnout. Twenty-five volunteers showed up ready to work, proving that when a community loves something, they'll fight to protect it.

The dive team pulled up everything imaginable: broken glass, cans, vintage tires, cell phones, scrap metal, shoes, designer glasses, and swimming goggles. Divers even spotted a full porcelain toilet they're planning to retrieve during the next cleanup.

"Taking care of the lake is one of our jobs," Munda said. "We need to make sure the fish and the lake are in good health."

The operation was carefully planned. Divers manually filled lightweight bags with smaller items and used special float bags to lift heavy objects from the lake bottom. They even deployed an underwater drone to scout for hidden trash.

Safety was paramount. The team worked carefully to avoid disturbing sediment containing lead from historic Silver Valley mining operations.

Cody Huber, owner of Huber Trailer Sales, provided a trailer for transport and is covering all dumping fees. "I am blessed to have a family business, and it is nice to give back," he said. "I want to make this place safer."

Volunteer diver Lauren Wright saw the day as a perfect combination of skill-building and community service. "It was fun, it's nice to clean up trash," she said. "It's nice to dive and have a job to do."

Meanwhile, other volunteers worked above water, collecting garbage along Tubbs Hill trails to ensure the entire area sparkled.

The Ripple Effect

This cleanup is just the beginning. The team plans more operations focused on the Boardwalk-Tubbs Hill area, building momentum with each dive.

The discovery of so much trash shocked volunteers, but it also reinforced an important message. "Just use a trashcan," said diver Brandon Helbling. "That's what they are there for."

What started as one captain's vision became a community movement proving that caring for nature doesn't require grand gestures. Sometimes it just takes people willing to get wet, work hard, and remind everyone that the places we love deserve our protection.