Posted Friday, August 22 --- 4:30pm

"I can not think of a greater example of a partnership than what we have right here in the entire Lake Delton recovery area," said FEMA coordinator Dolph Diemont.

On June 9, 600 million gallons of water, 300,000 cubic feet of sand and five houses flowed down the Wisconsin River when Lake Delton breached its banks. And now the clean-up has begun with the help of federal, state and local agencies.

"We have really had great teamwork here. The owner let us set up at the campground, the DNR, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River. People are showing up with equipment, and there are volunteers," stated Chad Pregracke, the founder and president of Living Lands and Waters. "Because it is such a big area, it is spread out over 22 miles that is what it is going to take."

Living Lands and Water, a non-profit out of Illinois, will oversee the clean up. For 11 years they have focused on cleaning rivers like the Mississippi.

The DNR has documented 89 debris piles along a 20-mile stretch of river down from the breach and Lake Delton.

Of the $77,000 awarded to Living Lands and Water, three quarters came from FEMA, the rest from the state and local governments. They have until October 31 to finish.

Five miles upstream from Friday's clean-up, workers focus on their own recovery efforts at Lake Delton. The DNR hopes to have the lake filled by next spring.

"I am very proud to say that we were able to come together and work at the federal, state and local level," added the Wisconsin Director of the DNR Matthew Frank. "It is a great river. It means so much to us not only in terms of beauty but in history. We want to get the river cleaned up from the flood. And this is a great way for citizens to get involved."

Living Lands and Waters needs more volunteers to clean up. To help call 309-236-0725 or go to www.livinglandsandwaters.org