Submitted
A one-hour story spanning 981 miles, “This Is the Ohio,” is a film intending to inspire, entertain and engage.
Showcasing the rich history and unmatched beauty of the Ohio River, the film promises to open the eyes of people who thought they knew the Ohio, as well as those who never have given it a second thought.
On Monday, Kentucky Educational Television (KET), which reaches nearly two million people weekly with its educational programming, will be premiering “This Is the Ohio.”
The film showcases the rich history and unmatched beauty of the Ohio River through a light-hearted approach, coupled with a serious undercurrent in presenting the urgent need to care for this vital waterway.
“I traveled 981 miles, from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, with several things in mind,” said Morgan C. Atkinson, Louisville-based filmmaker, writer, and producer. “I questioned the river’s true identity. I asked, ‘Is it solely a commercial highway essential to the economic well-being of the United States? Or is it a natural wonder water providing incredible opportunities for recreational users? How about its status as America’s second-most endangered waterway?’ I found the answers to be in all of the above.”
The first major broadcast of “This is the Ohio” will occur at 5 p.m. on KET, immediately followed by a free streamable version going live on the KET website. Twelve more screenings are scheduled for the subsequent days. Further information and times are available at ket.org/program/this-is-the-ohio-river-life-death-rebirth-of-the-beautiful.
Morgan McGarvey, the U.S. Representative for Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District, is interviewed in the program. He noted how that the Ohio River has not received as much funding from the EPA as other waterways.
“The Ohio River is the largest body of water in America that doesn’t currently receive Federal funding,” McGarvey said. “That’s got to change.
“Having a clean river is essential. A major effort I am working on as co-chair of the Ohio River Caucus is to make sure the Ohio River is getting the resources it needs, that it deserves.”
The Ohio River is the source of drinking water for more than five million people. More than 25 million people, almost 10% of the U.S. population, live in the Ohio River Basin.
“In many ways, the story of the Ohio River is the story of Kentucky, of our histories, cultures, struggles and triumphs,” said Michael Washburn, the executive director of Kentucky Waterways Alliance. “Morgan’s film deftly showcases this past, while eloquently arguing that the restoration of the Ohio River is necessary for a sustainable future. This message is as important as it is timely as organizations like ours are working to secure federal support for Ohio River restoration.”
Ohio River Way member Dr. David Wicks was one of the first to preview the film. He also serves as the executive producer of the program.
“ ‘This Is The Ohio’ touches on what a great and underutilized resource the Ohio River is for recreation and for its community,” said Wicks. “More than just a way of encouraging our elected officials to take action with our streams, this film invites everyone out to get involved and find out how they can be part of this impactful movement that really affects us all.
“My intent is to leave viewers with one thing in mind … what can we do to bring the Ohio River nearer to its original state, described by many as the beautiful river? My hope is that, by the time the credits roll, the audience will see the Ohio River in a new light.”