Event to mark 50th anniversary of Clean Water Act with documentary, discussion, family activities & more

Filmmaker Scott Morris’ new feature-length documentary “American River” chronicles both the beauty and heavy burdens carried by the Passaic River in northern New Jersey, but the film’s scope and impact is much wider.
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“A goal of this project was to portray positive aspects of the river despite the environmental hurdles it faces and show those elements in a cinematic experience,” Morris said. “You realize as you watch it that this isn’t a film about some localized river, but really a story about all rivers.”

The “American River” documentary will be the centerpiece of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association’s Clean Water Celebration scheduled Oct. 15, 2022, at the Campus Theatre in Lewisburg as well as the adjacent Hufnagle Park. This celebration has family-friendly FREE morning activities and a modest ticket fee for the afternoon events.

The event, sponsored by the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation, was developed as a way to mark and reflect on the 50th anniversary of the national Clean Water Act. It will feature a variety of family focused presentations, activities and music in Hufnagle Park from 10 a.m. to noon (free to the public)
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At 12:45 p.m., Morris and Riverkeeper John Zaktansky will introduce “American River” at the Campus Theatre, which will begin playing at 1 p.m. and will be followed, at approximately 2:30 p.m., by a panel discussion and Q&A session about the film and parallels with issues we are dealing with along the Susquehanna River.

Panelists for the post-film discussion will include:

• Filmmaker Scott Morris
• Matt Wilson of the Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute
• Leslie Rieck of Lycoming College's Clean Water Institute
• Bobby Hughes of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
• Alana Jajko, director of communications and outreach for the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
• Jamie Shallenberger (Susquehanna River Basin Commission)

Cost to participate in the afternoon session at the Campus Theatre is $10 a person (tickets available below).

“The Clean Water Act of 1972 has been the benchmark for all water quality efforts in the five decades since its inception, and we feel the Clean Water Celebration will be a great way to reflect on that history while looking ahead to what is next,” said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.

“I am excited to enjoy the ‘American River’ documentary with people from our watershed and then discuss ways we can all do a better job in protecting our river resources within and along the Susquehanna River.”

​Morris leaned on his 40 years of filmmaking experience to pull together the film, utilizing more than ten cameras via camera boats, drones, GoPros and even cameras on the shore. The film follows two main characters (including environmental author Mary Bruno, whose book “An American River: From Paradise to Superfund, Afloat on New Jersey's Passaic” is the inspiration of the film) along a four-day, 80-mile kayak trip down the Passaic River.

“There is a constant dialogue going on with our main characters about their observations, and we also interviewed 20 to 25 people along the way from all walks of life which offers this rich mosaic of what life is like along a river,” said Morris, adding that his goal was to take people along on this journey in an experiential way, not necessarily to “hit people over the head” with an environmental message, but to help people fall in love with the river.

​“As people watch this documentary, they are telling us they are inspired to learn more about their own hometown river,” Morris said. “There isn’t this feeling that there’s too many environmental problems, or there’s no hope, but more of looking at things in a new way and wanting to get involved and do something about improving our rivers.”

Independent filmmaker Scott Morris, the producer, editor and director of "American River" will be in attendance at the Campus Theatre for the Oct. 15 Clean Water Celebration.

Filmmaker Scott Morris shares the story of his documentary, "American River," in the most recent episode of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast. Check it out here:

Learn more

Learn more about "American River" through Riverkeeper John Zaktansky's review of the film. Watch a trailer of it here: americanriver.film

Purchase tickets

Tickets are required for the screening of the documentary "American River" at the Campus Theatre as well as the panel discussion afterward. Cost is $10 per ticket, with proceeds helping the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association improve water quality throughout the greater watershed.

"American River" documentary and panel discussion tickets

$10.00

Purchase your tickets to watch "American River," a feature-length documentary about water quality and the interconnectedness found along a river system, as well as the panel discussion afterward about the film and issues we are facing along the Susquehanna River. The film introduction begins at 12:45 p.m at the Campus Theatre in Lewisburg, PA. Panel discussion will start right after the film, at approximately 2:30 p.m. For more info, visit this link:

Buy tickets

The Clean Water Celebration’s earlier segment in Hufnagle Park will run from 10 a.m. to noon with a variety of tables from local partners sharing information and interactive environmental education opportunities throughout the duration of that time. Included in those opportunities will be:

• Matt Wilson and the Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute will have an aquatic insect exploration table to setup alongside where people can come and go with some live critters to look at, magnifiers, and some photo keys to look through. Discussion about water pollution and tolerance will be included for those who have extra time to hang out at the table.
• Bobby Hughes, of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, will have a table with activity for families to learn about issues related to acid mine drainage and how it is impacting our waterways.
• Alana Jajko will share information about the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and opportunities to enjoy the numerous recreational opportunities found along our network of greenways.
• Kathy Snavely, president of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, will have an aquatic creature photo match game specifically focused for preschoolers and early elementary ages at her table, along with a display about the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper's upcoming Scenic Wonders tour of Sullivan County next spring.
• Other groups planning table displays include the North Central PA group of the Sierra Club, Boy Scouts of America, Merrill Linn Conservancy and Buffalo Creek Watershed Association, among others.

The morning timeslot will include a few larger group presentations at specific times, including:

• 10:15 a.m. A presentation by Brian Auman, landscape architect of the redesigned Kidsburg Park and Bull Run in Lewisburg.  The recently completed park restores the floodplain while giving better access to the waterway in an effort to elicit more natural play experiences and spark a better appreciation of the waterway. This presentation is slated for 10:15 a.m. in the nature play area of Kidsburg and should last 40-45 minutes.
• 11 a.m. A presentation by Morgan Thomas and Danielle Tryon, of Susquehanna University looking at brook trout, analyzing their needs (food, habitat, conditions) and how humans have affected their habitat. Discussion will include how people can make an impact and better our watershed. Presentation will be held at the gazebo in Hufnagle Park.

Other environmental education opportunities will be included in the 10 a.m. to noon timeslot and will be updated on this page as they become available, all of which will be offered for free. The “American River” documentary and panel discussion at the Campus Theatre (starting at 12:45 p.m.) will cost $10 per ticket.

For more information, and to purchase your tickets to the movie and discussion, visit www.MiddleSusquehannaRiverkeeper.org