A recent underwater cleanup at Upper Twin Lake in California's Eastern Sierra mountains has revealed a significant accumulation of submerged litter, including two handguns. Volunteers from the nonprofit Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) spent five days in September conducting 18 dives along 3.89 miles of the lake's shoreline, removing approximately 4,999 pieces of trash. The operation yielded over 2,400 pounds of debris.
Among the items recovered were 1,376 cans, 24 tires, and 31 anchors. The discovery of two handguns—a derringer and a revolver—was particularly notable. Colin West, founder and CEO of CUTL, stated that both firearms were found during a single dive and were subsequently handed over to the Mono County Sheriff’s Department. West described the guns as small and appearing to be older models.
Cleanup Operations and Findings
The CUTL cleanup involved a team of 23 volunteers who worked to systematically clear the lake. Divers used mesh bags for smaller items and inflatable lift bags for heavier objects. The collected debris was tagged and coded to track the location and types of litter found.
The operation identified two areas within Upper Twin Lake as significant "litter hot spots." West attributed these concentrated areas of trash to their proximity to a busy resort road and prevailing winds. He suggested that wind carries items that fall into the lake from the roadside, causing them to accumulate on the northwest side of the lake. Fishing activity along the road was also cited as a contributing factor.
Divers also encountered other large items, such as 6-foot-long metal pipes and multiple anchors chained together, which are believed to have been used for mooring small boats. The coordinated effort included divers, snorkelers, kayakers, and boat crews to efficiently bring the collected items to the surface and shore.