You can help to ensure the quality of the water in the Susquehanna River by getting out on the river during the sixth annual Dam Bridge Challenge. The fundraiser to benefit the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, beginning and ending at the Lock 2 Recreation Area, 2140 Fishing Creek Road, Wrightsville.

Participants are invited to compete in three paddle races - a 10-mile route, a 3-mile course or a quarter-mile kids' race - or enjoy a 1-mile recreational paddle during the event, which will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. before the first boats hit the water at 9 a.m.

"Typically for the Challenge, we get a wide array of boats out on the water, from surfskis, which are very fast kayaks, to outrigger canoes, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and recreational canoes," said Ted Evgeniadis, executive director of the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. Participants should bring their own boats, although there is equipment available for rent for people who need it.

The event gets its name from the 10-mile race, which pits participants against each other either up river or down river, Evgeniadis shared.

When the race started six years ago, the Riverkeeper Association's office was located at Shank's Mare Outfitters along the river. An employee who is an avid stand-up paddleboarder and kayaker had the idea for the challenge race because of the organization's location.

"It's 5 miles from there to the Safe Harbor Dam, and it's 5 miles to the Route 462 bridge that connects Wrightsville to Columbia," Evgeniadis explained. "On the day of the event, the direction is chosen, and the registrants don't know which way it will be - either to the dam and back or to the bridge and back."

Prizes will be awarded for the top three male and female winners in a variety of age groups, and all participants will receive a reusable tote swag bag filled with freebies.

Live music and refreshments will be featured at the race's conclusion.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. Founded in 2006, the organization works to promote clean water.

"We advocate against pollution and we educate the public through programming," Evgeniadis said. "We have a lot of citizen science programming on monitoring for bacteria, microplastics, general water quality and more." The group host cleanup events, advocates for research, funds scientific studies and works to ensure there is fishable, swimmable and drinkable water in the Lower Susquehanna River watershed.

"There's a lot of great organizations that support the area around the Chesapeake Bay watershed," Evgeniadis said. "This one supports work that is crucial to keep our drinking water safe, to make sure the water people recreate in is safe."

He encourages anyone who is interested to join the challenge, noting that the event puts a premium on safety.

"Don't be scared to get out on the water," he said. "This event is on the Susquehanna, but it's being held on Lake Clarke, which is a reservoir formed behind Safe Harbor dam, so the water is super flat with little to no current. It's on the river, but it's like paddling on a lake." Organizers will also station safety boats throughout the length of the race, ready to relieve tired boaters or help with any emergencies.

"We encourage everyone to come and experience the Susquehanna River, to get out on it," Evgeniadis commented. "When you come to the Dam Bridge Challenge, you're enjoying a time to come together and celebrate our successes while supporting a really great cause and an organization with an important mission."

To learn more about the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association or to register for the Dam Bridge Challenge, visit https://lowersusquehannariverkeeper.org.