The Colorado River has been severely altered from the wild and natural river that many perceive it to be. 19 U.S. western states, which are lacking the water resources necessary to sustain life, rely on water from the Colorado River.  Over the years the river has faced severe disturbances from damming, diversions, energy development, climate change, and ever increasing human demand as a result of population growth.  Water storage supplies in the river have nearly reached their limit in every part of the basin due to 11 consecutive years of drought.    Though the future supplies dwindle, water use and demand continue to increase with 30 million people wanting the river’s 5 trillion gallons for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity. 

I recently watched the documentary Remains of a River which is an incredibly moving portrayal of the haunting truth of the state of the Colorado River.  The documentary was put together by two recent college grads, Zak Podmore and Will Stauffer-Norris, who are now working on the State of the Rockies Project.  The young men spent 113 days, from October 2011 to January 2012, exploring the current state of the waters that create the Colorado River.  They began at its source waters in the Green River of Wyoming and ended at the sea in Mexico.  Zak and Will were able to obtain an abundance of poignant footage throughout their voyage to paint an accurate portrayal of what human manipulation has caused the river to become.  Zak and Will discover that the once mighty Colorado no longer reaches the sea.  What remains is agricultural waste runoff, desert sand, and fond memories of the rich and diverse wetland habitat that once existed in Mexico’s Sonoran desert.  Their efforts and hard work provide a visual document and tangible evidence that our actions directly correlate and greatly impact the natural world.  So many of us get caught up in our everyday lives and forget that we are part of ONE great earth.  As Jacque Cousteau once said “we forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” Zak and Will's journey exploring the Remains of a River helps us to remember this simple fact. 

Since the completion of Remains of a River, Zak and Will have started on a second expedition.  This voyage began on June 15, 2012 from the headwaters of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The guys are now working to collect geographical and scientific data focusing on ecological quality, GPS points, and stakeholder input to create a vast database for the State of the Rockies Project.  I am fully supportive of their project and wish them the best of luck!


Stephanie DiBetitto, OSM/VISTA Volunteer