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

Now in its 25th 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.

This year the lake level is above full pool, which is 1,071 feet, due to excessive amounts of rain.

Dawsonville's Gordon Brand, who is coordinating the lake-wide effort and will oversee the local clean-up at War Hill Park, said the higher lake level means fewer shorelines to clean, but there is an increased need for additional boats out on the lake to clear floating debris.

"We'll have several boats on the lake to pick up the debris that's floated out into the water, Styrofoam and pieces that have broken off of docks," he said.

According to Brand, volunteers do not have to wait until Saturday to start their clean-up efforts.

"We have people who have already been out on the lake cleaning up because they can't make it out the day of the event. We have others that will be out on the lake this week, too," he said.

Keep Dawson County Beautiful, with assistance from the Dawson County Woman's Club, 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.