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AUTAUGA CREEK CANOE TRAIL
SUP Clean Up of Shem Creek A
In July 2011, citizens of Prattville, Alabama, began a community effort to clean up and improve the aesthetics and navigability of the Autauga Creek Canoe Trail.
s a part of the 2012 National Paddlesports Conference, ACA Staff Members, Candy Patten and Kelsey Bracewell, organized a standup paddleboard (SUP) clean up of Shem
Creek, an Atlantic Estuary in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The clean-up was sponsored by local outfitter business, Half Moon Outfitters. Along with the ACA Office Staff, ACA members from Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia and Ilanz, Switzerland, came to participate in the clean-up. Using custom-made water refuse collection bags, which were created in collaboration with
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the participants were able to collect about 30 pounds of garbage per person, totaling about 180 pounds. Along the way, additional collection bags
were given to local paddlers who were out enjoying the weather, who immediately began using the bags immediately to assist in the clean-up efforts. Shem Creek flows through the heart of
Mount Pleasant and is known for its many waterfront bars, restaurants and thriving shrimp-boat businesses. There are also several highway overpasses crossing over the creek, leading to a variety of litter and garbage being discarded into the tidal currents and waters of the creek. Shem Creek is a very popular habitat for wildlife as well as recreational activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking and paddleboarding. There are multiple public access points to the creek, as well as several marinas. This event, while small-scale, is just
another example of how ACA members are making a big difference in preserving beautiful waterways for the betterment of the environment and for further enjoyment by all paddlers.
Fallen trees were blocking the creek which were cut and repositioned to provide safe passage for canoes and unsightly debris including trash, old tires and other items were removed. Hundreds of hours of labor have been contributed by the Autauga Creek Improvement Committee over the past 16 months.
The headwaters of Autauga Creek begin more than 13 miles above the historical Daniel Pratt Mill Dam located in downtown Prattville. The clean-up efforts were initially concentrated on the four miles of creek between the dam and the take-out point at the canoe trail park. Although this part of the creek flows primarily through the city, its high, vegetated banks and dense tree cover give it the appearance of a wilderness experience. Now, the canoe trail is clear from the dam to the Alabama River.
Paddling activities on the creek have dramatically increased as a result of adding four new informational kiosks. Artwork and interpretive information was printed and mounted. The signs immediately attracted the attention of nearby pedestrians who began reading the material and examining the canoe trail map.
The Autauga Creek Improvement Committee received ACA’s L.L. Bean Club Fostered Club Grant in 2012 and just recently finished these improvements.
PHOTO: KAYDI PYETTE
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