Stories of Our Watersheds 2017
Celebrating How We Experience and Sustain our Watersheds Through Film
Each year RRNW curates a series of short films that acknowledge the many disciplines, perspectives of the river or watershed restoration industry, watershed stakeholders and river users while also being entertaining, educational, and inspirational. The films selected for the 2017 event share stories from a variety of conservation organizations, tribes, watershed councils, agencies, and filmmakers. Follow us on Facebook for more up to date information on this event and much more!
| Project Title | Synopsis |
| The Super Salmon | The Super Salmon is an intimate and inspiring look into the impacts of the proposed Susitna-Watana dam on the Susitna River in south-central Alaska. Directed by Alaska filmmaker Ryan Peterson, the film follows the incredible journey of one particular King salmon who swam from the mouth of the Susitna River in Cook Inlet all the way up to its glacial headwaters. In following this journey, Peterson documents the importance of the river and its fish to the region – its economy, communities, and culture. The story outlines the threats posed by the Susitna dam and the work of the Susitna River Coalition, which is aimed at protecting our free-flowing, healthy watershed so that future generations of salmon, wildlife, and humans can depend on it as we do today. |
| What You Take Away – A Colorado River Reflection | Meet Katie, one of the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River. Pondering life after high school, Katie finds comfort in reflecting on her time in one of the Nation’s most iconic National Parks. Guided by river currents and curiosity, her voyage of discovery leads to a deeper understanding of the Colorado River as an ecosystem… and her own place in it. |
| Confluence of Purpose | The Southern Flow Corridor Project is a 520 acre tidal wetland restoration project located in the Tillamook Bay estuary. Designed to mitigate flooding in the city of Tillamook, Oregon, and restore important habitat for fish and wildlife, the project spans over a decade and includes more than 70 project partners. |
| The Waterkeeper Protecting Iraq’s Ancient River | Nabil Musa is the first “waterkeeper” in Iraq and the Middle East. His mission is to protect the waterways of northern Iraq, and specifically, the upper Tigris River, so that its water remains swimmable, fishable and drinkable. Musa paddles the waterways in his kayak to raise awareness about environmental threats to the river. In a country largely known to outsiders for war and conflict, the beauty of this ancient river might surprise you. |
| Making Way for Salmon | This short film highlights the need for increased funding to replace barrier culverts that prevent salmon from reaching their spawning grounds in Washington State. |
| A Natural Balance – Partners in Restoration | A film that describes the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho’s sacred covenant with the Creator and how that led to the Tribe’s efforts to restore the Kootenai River. The Tribe connects culture with community and agency collaboration to implement restoration, unifying and healing the river and the people. |
| Saving the Deschutes River | The Deschutes River is in trouble and its recovery depends on taking action that will restore stream flows and water quality. |
| In Our Hands – Long Live the Kings | Long Live the Kings began 30 years ago as a single project in a remote coastal watershed. As they celebrate their 30th anniversary, their work–and impact–has expanded throughout the Pacific Northwest and now stretches into Canada. Throughout, their guiding principle has remained the same: the future of salmon is in our hands. |
| Saving Bull Trout during a Drought at Lake Kachess | This short film highlights a 1-day effort to increase stream flow in the lower portion of Box Canyon Creek, allowing staging Bull Trout in Lake Kachess to reach their natal spawning grounds. |