MADISON, Wis. -- Wednesday marked exactly one month since rain-swollen Lake Delton burst through its banks and rapidly drained into the Wisconsin River, taking several homes with it.

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Emergency personnel continue an effort to get the debris out of the river.

Officials from Columbia and Sauk counties said a large portion of that debris from Lake Delton is lodged along a 23-mile stretch of the Wisconsin River, and much of it in the back yards of homeowners, WISC-TV reported.

On Wednesday, county leaders along with the state Department of Natural Resources held a meeting for Portage residents, proposing a cleanup plan for the excess debris. They're asking residents permission to come and clean out about 90 areas where debris has piled up along the river. The long list of debris includes wall boards, log furniture, hot water tanks and additional items from Lake Delton, WISC-TV reported.

Officials are also asking residents for their thoughts on cleanup strategy.

"I think it's very important because a lot of these areas, to even get to this area, we're going to need to be able to cross their property," said Pat Behgin, of the emergency management unit in Columbia County. "And they may be able to give us some better ideas on where we can get heavy equipment into the river to work on it."

"Every time it floods, you're going to see stuff floating down here. But some of it you knew it wasn't from around here," said Portage resident Stephan Wojack.

Officials are also hoping to salvage anything collected from the debris that might have sentimental value. Once the debris is collected, officials will give Lake Delton residents a chance to look through and find things that they'd like back, WISC-TV reported.

"They've lost everything, they lost their whole homes," said Behgin. "Everything in it is gone so it would be nice to be able to give them the opportunity at least to go through that.

"They may be able to give us some better ideas on where we can get heavy equipment into the river to work on it," said Behgin.

DNR officials said they have documented nearly 90 piles of debris along the Wisconsin River between Lake Delton and Portage - - a more than 20-mile stretch of water.

Emergency management officials said that they hope to get things going as soon as residents give permission, which could come in the next few days.

If any debris is picked up before July 18, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state agencies will pick up 95 percent of the tab, with the two counties splitting the remaining 5 percent.

However, if cleanup efforts start after July 18, Sauk and Columbia counties will pay a larger portion of the bill, which could total about 12 percent.