Hundreds of volunteers are expected to take part in clearing the shores of Lake Lanier on Saturday.

Now in its 26th year, Shore Sweep is the Lake Lanier Association's largest and most successful annual event. Last year, nearly 1,000 volunteers collected more than 32 tons of debris on Lake Lanier.

With more than 692 miles of Lake Lanier shoreline, the event is set for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at various parks and marinas around the lake. War Hill Park is the staging area for the Shore Sweep in Dawson County.

The purpose of the event is to clean the lake and its shores, but also to raise awareness of the damage littering causes.

"We typically get 1,000 volunteers on the day of the event," said Joanna Cloud, executive director of the Lake Lanier Association, which puts on the event. Volunteers include groups such as the Boy Scouts and Rotary Club as well as other local residents.

Last year, War Hill Park alone had more than 100 volunteers to clean the area lake.

Keep Dawson County Beautiful will provide lunch for volunteers after the clean-up. Volunteers will also receive a Shore Sweep T-shirt.

Trash bags will be passed out at nearly a dozen locations on Lake Lanier.

Local advance drop off locations include: Nix Island (map coordinate D-21, closest buoy marker 21C, boat accessible only) and Toto Creek boat launch (map coordinate B-23, closest buoy marker 25C). Both are in the War Hill Park vicinity.

Bagged trash or large items are being accepted at these locations, which are identified with Shore Sweep signs.

Advanced registration for participation in the event is not required, but does help in scheduling shoreline coverage. If you would like to notify the association of your intention to participate, send an e-mail to lakeinfo@lakelanier.org.

For more information, visit lakelanier.org/shore-sweep or contact Joanna Cloud at jcloud@lakelanier.org.