Annual Lake Sweep / River Sweep

WHAT Is It?

• It is an annual removal of litter on Lake Murray and other waterways in Lexington and Richland counties.
• It is coordinated by Keep the Midlands Beautiful with assistance from over 30 event partners.
• It is held in conjunction with the South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources’ and the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium’s statewide ‘Beach Sweep / River Sweep’ which encourages all organizations and residents to clean up our state’s waterways on the third Saturday of September each year.
• Our event is by far the largest of these events held in South Carolina!

WHY Participate?

• It’s fun!
• It’s a great way to give back to your community while enjoying a beautiful day on or near the water.
• Everyone gets a free t-shirt, snacks and drinks, take-home gift, and entry into a prize drawing from local businesses worth over $3,000.
• Fabulous prizes are also awarded for the most unusual items found near each check in/out location, the best photo, and most recyclables collected, and other categories.

WHO Can Participate?

• Anyone and everyone! Individuals, groups of any size, and children and adults of all ages.
• Prizes are awarded to the youngest and oldest participants (who remove litter), and to the groups who remove the most litter.

WHEN Is It?

• Saturday, September 20, 2025 – If you choose to check in & out at Lake Murray to participate with our group
• Aug. 30 to Sep. 28, 2025 – If you choose to remove litter on your own from a river, creek, or pond or on your own from your adopted waterway

HOW to REGISTER

• Coming July 21, 2025.
• Watch for the link on our Upcoming Events page and in our electronic Newsletter
• Required by Sep. 6.

INFORMATION Needed for Registration

• First and last names of participants (you may register yourself or a group)
• T-shirt sizes of all participants (only adult sizes are available)
• Where your group will check-in and out (at the KMB office, SouthShore Marina, Catfish Johnny’s/Rusty Anchor, or Dreher Island State Park)
• How you will participate (using your own boat, by getting a free boat ride at Lake Murray on Sep. 20 from South Shore Marina or Catfish Johnny’s/Rusty Anchor, by staying on land at Lake Murray on Sep. 20, or by participating on your own).

HOW Does It Work?

First, choose whether to participate on your own or with our group.

• On Your Own means that you will pick up supplies from our office and go to a pre-determined waterway to remove litter on your own (alone or with your own group).
  
  • You may do this anytime between Aug. 30 and Sep. 28, 2025 to get credit for participation on Lake Sweep / River Sweep.
• With Our Group means that you will check in and out at one of the three locations around Lake Murray.
  
  • Thiis may only be done on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

If Participating On Your Own…

• You must…
  
  • Pre-register you/your group between July 21 and September 6.
  • Request supplies using this Supply Request Form at least one week in advance.
  • Pick up supplies from our office (at 1305 Augusta Rd., West Columbia).
  • Properly dispose of all litter (and bulk items and recyclables if applicable) that you collect.
  • Return supplies to our office within one week of your litter cleanup event.
  • Submit the Lake Sweep / River Sweep Report Card by September 28 to be entered into the prize drawings.
• If you participate in our Adopt-A-Waterway program…
  
  • Please remove litter from your adopted waterway. NOTE that you may choose to participate with our group.
• If you do not participate in our Adopt-A-Waterway program…
  
  • Please choose any unadopted river, creek, or pond from the list below. NOTE: All islands in Lake Murray will be cleaned on September 20 by those participating With Our Group or by those who have adopted them and are therefore not available for this option. To suggest alternative options, please contact Alexcia (Lexy) Johnson at ajohnson@kmbsc.org or (803) 733-1139.

If Participating With Our Group…

• You must…
  
  • Pre-register you/your group between July 21 and September 6.
  • Participate on Saturday, September 20.
  • Check in and out at one of the following locations at Lake Murray:
    
    • SouthShore Marina in Leesville
    • Rusty Anchor / Catfish Johnny’s in Chapin
    • Dreher Island State Park in Prosperity
    • The location chosen by Wateree Dive Center (participating certified divers ONLY)
  • If participating at SouthShore Marina or Rusty Anchor/Catfish Johnny’s, you may choose to…
    
    • Remove litter on land around the check-in/out site,
    • Use your own boat to travel to one or more islands as assigned, or
    • Accept a free boat ride to one or more islands with our event partners.
  • If participating at Dreher Island State Park, you may choose to…
    
    • Remove litter on land on roads near the park, or
    • Use your own boat to travel to nearby islands as assigned.

Spread the word, bring a friend and let’s have some fun while cleaning up the Jewel of the South!

WAIVER FORMS

• Please save everyone time at check-in by returning the appropriate waiver below by Sep. 6th to programs@kmbsc.org.
  • ADULT Waiver for individuals
  • GROUP Waiver (for families and groups of two or more)
  • YOUTH Waiver (for those under 18 – must be signed by a parent or legal guardian)

Lake Sweep / River Sweep Report Card

• Report Card – Return to KMB by September 28, 2025 to be entered into the prize drawings worth over $3,000!