With lake levels sitting above full pool, the City of 琉璃神社 is reminding beachgoers to leave branches, leaves and all other natural debris that washes up on the waterfront where they are.

鈥淲hile it may seem intuitive to pick up branches and debris to keep our beaches clean, those natural woody materials actually help break the waves and keep our beaches from eroding so we can enjoy them for years to come,鈥� says Melanie Steppuhn, park and landscape planner. 鈥淩ight now we ask that residents leave this debris where it is for a few weeks until we see the water at lower levels.鈥�

The city describes the debris as natural erosion protection and 鈥渘ature鈥檚 way of keeping the beach in place,鈥� saying it provides a protective layer to the sands and gravels of the beachfront.

Once lake levels drop, the debris can be cleaned up, says the city.

READ MORE: Highway 33 reopens following washout

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