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Groups Oppose Trapping and Hauling Fish Around Dams
- Posted on 24th Sep
- Category: DamNation
The following letter outlines concerns and opposition to a May 7, 2015 announcement by the Yuba Salmon Partnership Initiative (YSPI), which aims to create a first of its kind trap and haul program in California. As outlined in the letter, we believe that the existing and proposed trap and haul projects around dams runs contrary to sound, wild fisheries recovery science, the intentions and requirements of the Endangered Species Act and many state fisheries management plans. Diverting limited resources and attention to such projects is a serious threat to future investment in effective river restoration efforts like full dam removal and achieving self-sustaining fisheries recovery nationwide.
Click here to view the full letter
A photo of a trap and haul truck, taken by Matt Stoecker -
DAMNATION DELIVERS 70,000 SIGNATURES TO THE WHITE HOUSE
- Posted on 22nd Apr
- Category: DamNation
The DamNation filmmakers have delivered the petition with 70,000 signatures for the Obama administration to crack down on deadbeat dams. As we look back on the incredible impact the film has had so far, we're also asking ourselves, what's next? Keep sharing and supporting the petition, but also let your local elected officials know that you want change.
WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENTS
Ask Senators Cantwell and Murray to help remove four deadbeat dams on the lower Snake River.
More than 70,000 people from all over the world signed the petition asking President Obama to remove the dams. But the feds want to see support from the leadership of Washington state.
A phone call from you to Senators Cantwell (206-220-6400) and Murray (206-553-5545) is the most powerful way to get that support.
WATCH US DELIVER THE PETITION
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DAMNATION TO SCREEN IN GERMANY, AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND WITH THE BANFF TOUR
- Posted on 11th Feb
- Category: DamNation
Starting February 20th, 2015, DamNation will be having 50+ screenings across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as a part of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. Kicking off in Munich on the 20th and hitting Berlin, Zurich, Salzburg and many more, DamNation wraps up at the end of April.
Visit their website to see an overview of the tour or a map showing of all the screenings.
See you there!
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DAMNATION NOW AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE
- Posted on 4th Dec
- Category: DamNation
Starting today, December 4th, DamNation is available to watch anywhere in the world from Vimeo On Demand. Just select your language from the CC dropdown menu in the player window.
This powerful film odyssey across America explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers. Dam removal has moved beyond the fictional Monkey Wrench Gang to go mainstream. Where obsolete dams come down, rivers bound back to life, giving salmon and other wild fish the right of return to primeval spawning grounds, after decades without access. DamNation’s majestic cinematography and unexpected discoveries move through rivers and landscapes altered by dams, but also through a metamorphosis in values, from conquest of the natural world to knowing ourselves as part of nature.
Below is a complete list of platforms, territories and languages we're available in.
We are also available on these platforms:
iTunes (see below for territories)
Netflix (US)
DamNation will be available to purchase from iTunes in:
France
Germany
Belgium
Luxembourg
Austria
Ireland
UK
Mexico
El Salvador
Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
Colombia
Venezuela
Ecuador
Peru
Chile
Bolivia
Paraguay
Argentina
DamNation can be viewed with subtitles in:
Korean
French
German
Swedish
Spanish
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More Good News From DAMNATION!
- Posted on 8th Aug
- Category: DamNation
DAMNATION RECEIVES BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARD AT THE 2014 DESTINY CITY FILM FESTIVAL!
We also got a great review from The Benshi's Randy Olson. Here are some of the highlights:
Last year I scoffed at the biased mess that was “Gasland.” I wish “DamNation” had been out so I could have pointed to it to say this is how you present an issue you have strong opinions about without having the audience feel like they’re being conned...It’s a wonderful film filled with amazing sequences of inspiring protest efforts, beautiful scenery, and a heart-warming if sad jackpot of old movie footage of a trip down the Colorado River that will make you want to cry for the destruction dams have wrought. It’s great and a role model for how to make a solid environmental documentary that addresses a controversial issue in a level headed and dignified way. More movies like it are needed.
...
I really can’t say enough good things about this movie. It’s both nostalgic and contemporary. It’s hip and cool enough to feel like it’s for a younger demographic, yet dignified and even reverential at times to play to the older crowd. It has great visuals, but not at the expense of substance. It also captures the broad sweep of the past century to feel like the voice of the very best of the American environmental movement.
...
People squawk at me often, “Well, what is your idea of a good documentary?” This film is my answer, plain and simple. It’s a role model for all aspiring environmental filmmakers. It doesn’t have perfect narrative structure, it has a few minor shortcomings (would have liked a little more explicit addressing of the bottom line on the “jobs vs. environment” divide when it comes to dam removal), but a movie can only do so much in addressing an issue—it’s not the same as a book.
The movie does its job incredibly well. AND … it’s fun!
Click here to read the full review from their site.
Here are all the incredible awards DamNation has received to date:
SXSW 2014 Audience Choice - Documentary Spotlight
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital 2014 Environmental Advocacy Award
International Wildlife Film Festival 2014 Best Conservation Film
Environmental Film Festival at Yale 2014 Grand Jury Prize
Environmental Film Festival at Yale 2014 Audience Choice
5Point Film Festival 2014 Best of Festival
DOXA Nigel Moore Award
Green Film Festival in Seoul 2014 Peoples Choice
Green Film Festival in Seoul 2014 Best Feature Film
MountainFilm 2014 Audience Choice Award
San Francisco Green Film Festival 2014 Best Feature Award
Destiny City Film Festival 2014 Best Documentary Feature -
DAMNATION NOW AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AND ON ITUNES
- Posted on 8th Jul
- Category: DamNation
Award-winning film continues to generate momentum around the need to restore rivers to health by removing low value, high cost dams
Ventura, Calif. (July 8, 2014) – Patagonia today launched the award-winning documentary film DamNation on iTunes and through several On Demand services. DamNation is a film odyssey that explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers.
The film will be available through iTunes rental for $3.99/$4.99 (SD/HD) or purchase for $7.99/$9.99 (SD/HD). Viewers can also watch it on demand via Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Bright House, Verizon, Charter, Suddenlink, AT&T, Google Play, VUDU, Amazon, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Through its festival tour, DamNation has grabbed the attention of audiences and several major awards, including:
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SXSW Audience Choice Award 2014
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Documentary Award for Environmental Advocacy 2014, Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
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MountainFilm Audience Choice Award 2014
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Best Conservation Film 2014, International Wildlife Film Festival
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Grand Jury Prize and Audience Choice 2014, Environmental Film Festival at Yale
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Best of Festival, 5Point Film Festival
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Nigel Moore Award, DOXA
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People’s Choice and Best Feature Film 2014, Green Film Festival in Seoul
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Best Feature Award 2014, San Francisco Green Film Festival
On June 5, Patagonia presented free screenings of DamNation in 23 cities to audiences totaling more than 6,400 nationwide. Twenty-six thousand people have already signed Patagonia’s online petition urging President Obama to authorize studies on removing four problematic lower dams on the Snake River – and thousands more have signed petition postcards.
DamNation has been hailed by The Los Angeles Times, The Village Voice, National Geographic and Time Magazine. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard published an op-ed in The New York Times arguing for the removal of low value, high cost dams.
To download press materials and photography, visit: damnationfilm.com/press
To view or embed the trailer, visit: vimeo.com/ondemand/damnation/89928979
Media Contact: Adam Fetcher, adam.fetcher@patagonia.com
About the Film
DamNation is a film odyssey across America that explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers. Dam removal has moved beyond the fictional Monkey Wrench Gang to go mainstream. Where obsolete dams come down, rivers bound back to life, giving salmon and other wild fish the right of return to primeval spawning grounds, after decades without access. DamNation’s majestic cinematography and unexpected discoveries move through rivers and landscapes altered by dams, but also through a metamorphosis in values, from conquest of the natural world to knowing ourselves as part of nature.
Patagonia Founder and Owner Yvon Chouinard states, “I’m proud to have been involved. Time and again, I’ve witnessed how removing an unnecessary dam is the responsible and, eventually, celebrated choice. Ben, Matt and Travis show us why, and they’ve made a beautiful film.”
DamNation is produced by Patagonia in association with a Stoecker Ecological & Felt Soul Media Production and is set for theatrical release in select cities beginning in April.
DamNation (87 min, U.S., 2014) Directed by Ben Knight and Travis Rummel. Produced by Matt Stoecker and Travis Rummel. Editor: Ben Knight. Director of Photography: Ben Knight. Director of Underwater Photography: Matt Stoecker. Associate Producer: Beda Calhoun. Executive Producer: Yvon Chouinard. Featuring: David James Duncan, David Montgomery, Elmer Crow, Rebecca Miles Jim Waddell, Floyd Dominy, Katie Lee, Lee Spencer and Mikal Jakubal.
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DamNation screening in 23 Patagonia Retail Stores 6/5
- Posted on 4th Jun
- Category: DamNation
We have spent the last 3 months crisscrossing the country and DamNation has screened over 70 times at film festivals, theaters, town parks, in big cities and small towns. We have over 25,000 signatures for our Crack Down on Deadbeat Dams petition to President Obama. We have won multiple awards at festivals for 'People's Choice' and 'Best Feature Film.' Needless to say, things have been very busy and very exciting.
We are excited to launch our film online this week! On Thursday, June 5th, we screen in 23 Patagonia retail stores nationwide and on Friday, June 6th, we release the film (in the US) for digital viewing through our website, www.damnationfilm.com. The film will be $5.99 to rent and $9.99 to buy. If you have not seen the film yet, your wait is over! For all of you, please share the film with your family and friends, with your help, we can change the game for rivers in the US (and beyond!).
Thank you for all of your support!
Matt, Ben, Travis, and Beda -
DamNation wins Audience Award at MountainFilm
- Posted on 27th May
- Category: DamNation
Winner:The Audience Award is chosen via ballot by attendees at the Closing Picnic & Awards Ceremony.
Honorable Mention:
Virunga
An Honest Liar
Mending the Line
2014 — DamNation
2013 — God Loves Uganda
2012 — Right to Play
2011 — Happy
2010 — Tie of Two Films: I Am and Bag It
2009 — Sergio
2008 — Red Gold -
DamNation Hydropower Q&A
- Posted on 21st May
- Category: DamNation
Earlier this week, Linda Church Ciocci of the National Hydropower Association sent a letter to the editor of The New York Times arguing against Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s points presented in his op-ed published May 7. Linda’s letter is available here and we wanted to take a moment to respond to her points on our blog:
DamNation Hydropower Q&A
The environmental costs of massive dams that support hydropower generation outweigh their benefits. We do not agree that hydroelectric power generation is a “low-emission” and “renewable” source of energy as more studies are showing that dams and their reservoirs are significant emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide, while also exacerbating the negative impacts of climate change.
Arguing that hydropower is “clean” completely misses the immense environmental costs of stopping up a free-flowing river, which blocks wildlife migration for keystone species like salmon, degrades water quality and stops critical sediment flows to our disappearing coastlines.
Hydropower is made possible by dams, and dams create devastating impacts on the surrounding ecosystem, which relies on fish for food and to spread nutrients. These impacts run the length of the river to the ocean, where sediments are needed to protect against rising sea levels and storm surges caused by climate change.
Patagonia, by supporting DamNation, is focusing attention on a growing national movement to remove dams where the costs (including environmental, safety and socio-cultural) outweigh the replaceable benefits (including hydropower, flood control, irrigation or recreation) – or where the dam no longer serves any useful purpose. Many dams also pose a serious safety hazard. Currently, 26,000 dams are officially labeled either “high hazard” or “significant hazard” by the federal government.
Removing the many dams that have low value but high costs, like the four problematic lower dams on the Snake River, will help restore water quality and flows for fish and wildlife, reinstate the natural sediment and nutrient flow, eliminate safety risks, create opportunities for whitewater recreation, save taxpayer money and bring our rivers back to life.
But hasn’t the hydropower industry made significant strides to mitigate its footprint? Isn’t the Pacific Northwest now seeing record fish returns?
Unfortunately, that’s not true. Contrary to repeated statements from federal agencies, and hydropower advocates, most wild Snake River salmon and steelhead returns remain at about the same levels as when they were first listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the early 1990’s and at only a fraction of their pre-dam populations. The last couple of years have shown some minor increases in overall fish numbers – especially compared to the dismal returns we’ve seen lately – but around 80 percent of these returns are hatchery fish, not wild ones. Flooding watersheds with hatchery fish costs the taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars annually on the Columbia River alone – it does not constitute “significant strides to mitigate” dams or even recovery goals for wild fish.
The Department of Energy has identified potential areas where there is an untapped potential for hydropower generation. Shouldn’t we be expanding it?
The most viable sites have already been developed. Most of those few remaining sites have been targets of repeated permits or license applications met with multiple failures due to poor economics, impractical technology, and the high cost of environmental damage.
The bottom line is that our country has no rivers left for dam building. The Department of Energy report didn’t assess the feasibility for building dams, just the potential for electrical generation present on a stretch of river based on computer modeling.
Rather than plugging rivers with multiple hydropower dams, or modifying current dams, a cheaper and less environmentally harmful solution is to transition away from dams and towards existing, lower impact, energy efficiency and production technologies. Many dams that have been removed no longer had any beneficial use whatsoever.
But 81 percent of Americans believe that the existing hydropower fleet should be maintained, and 75 percent support expanding hydropower. Don’t communities around the country rely on dams for drinking water, irrigation, flood control, recreation and, of course, affordable, low-emission hydropower?
The hydropower industry has worked hard to draw attention to the benefits of hydropower, but they of course neglect the major costs of dams. We’ve glorified dams for decades, but our pride in building these engineering marvels has often blinded us to the environmental damage they cause.
We made DamNation to educate Americans about the downside of this mislabeled “green” energy. Rather than plugging rivers with multiple hydropower dams, a cheaper and less environmentally harmful solution is to use existing energy efficiency technologies and lower impact production sources. Flood control can often be accomplished more effectively and for less money by restoring floodplains, maintaining riparian buffers, and enabling high flow capture into off-stream basins. Updating antiquated irrigation systems and replacing inappropriate crops dramatically reduces the need for dams and reservoirs in the arid West.
Removing the many dams that have low value but high costs, like the four problematic lower dams on the Snake River, will restore water quality and flows for fish and wildlife, reinstate the natural sediment and nutrient flow, eliminate safety risks, create opportunities for whitewater recreation, save taxpayer money and bring our rivers back to life.
Does Patagonia want to take out every dam?
We believe all man-made dams create a negative impact on river ecosystems, but our efforts are focused on removing the many dams with low value and high environmental costs.
Does Patagonia use hydropower to make our products?
Yes, we do use hydropower – it’s an inseparable part of our shared electrical gird. But at every turn we are focused on reducing our energy need through efficiency measures, and gaining a higher proportion of power from truly renewable sources like solar and wind, where environmental impacts of generation do not outweigh the benefits.
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DamNation in the Santa Barbara Independent
- Posted on 15th May
- Category: DamNation
Courtesy Photo
DamNation
DamNation Comes Home
Award-Winning Environmental Documentary Heads to the Lobero Theatre
Thursday, May 15, 2014
There are good movies, there are bad movies, and then there are movies that matter. DamNation is a movie that matters. An eco-activist documentary with a refreshingly aggressive and law-breaking bend, this new film — made possible thanks in large part to the folks from Patagonia — introduces viewers to one of the most overlooked evildoers in the modern world’s assault on Mother Nature: dams. There’s no doubt that dams have served many important roles over the years, from preventing floods and providing power to storing drinking water and making urban growth possible in remote places. But this “progress” has also come at a very steep price. With a blend of history, face-melting nature cinematography, and a dash of Edward Abbey–style criminal mischief, DamNation lays bare this truth in a way that is educational, entertaining, and, perhaps most importantly, inspirational.
By Courtesy Photo
WATER WORLD: A barge-mounted excavator hammers away at Glines Canyon Dam in a scene from DamNation.
It is impossible to separate the story of dams from the story of America in the 20th century. Building river-arresting structures, be they public or private projects, was a critical part of our nation’s rebound from the Great Depression, as well as our domestic World War II–motivated manufacturing efforts and, in the years after, our need to meet ever-expanding energy needs. In fact, some 75,000 dams at least three feet tall exist in the U.S.today, more than 30,000 of which were built between 1950 and 1970. And, while these structures were certainly erected with the greater good in mind, they all share one inconvenient truth: They drastically change the way a river behaves. When you consider the fact that rivers are the proverbial lifeblood of our planet and that various critters call it home, this defining characteristic becomes a potentially insidious and deadly bottom line for fisheries, watersheds, ecosystems, and native ways of life.
“A damn is to a river what a coal-fired power plant is to air quality,” explains Matt Stoecker, a restoration biologist based here on the South Coast who, along with Patagonia’s patriarch Yvonne Chouinard, produced the film. A graduate of UCSB, Stoecker, who has been in the trenches of creek and steelhead-trout habitat restoration here in Santa Barbara County for the past decade and a half, came up with the idea for DamNation while attending an environmental film festival in Nevada City with Chouinard back in 2011. Both blissfully addicted fly-fishing nuts with track records of big-picture conservation/restoration efforts, the duo recognized the powerful storytelling opportunity that was setting up that year, thanks to the planned removal that year of two very large dams in the Pacific Northwest: the Glines Canyon Dam of the Elwha River and the Condit Damn on the White Salmon River. If they acted fast, not only could they record these historic restoration-motivated destruction efforts, but they could also document the radically rapid rebound that occurs in nature when a long-stifled river is set free.
By Courtesy Photo
DamNation
Filmmakers Travis Rummel and Ben Knight, the latter also providing the movie’s narration, were enlisted, and the adventure began. Anything but predictable, DamNation is an ambitious and wide-ranging film that explores the evolution of our nation’s relationship to dams and the impacts this relationship has on our natural world. Incredibly charismatic and colorful characters from the fight to protect rivers, like Mikal Jakubal and Kate Lee (the former being the dam rappelling graffiti artist responsible for giant protest murals on some of the West’s most well-known dams in the 1990s), share the screen with hydropower supporters and sweeping nature shots of rivers, rushing waters, spawning salmon, exploding dams, and landscapes both wild and conquered. The end result is a well-balanced and visually arresting call to arms that has been taking the film festival circuit by storm since premiering in March at the SXSW Film Festival and winning the coveted Audience Choice Award. As Knight puts it in the film’s opening minutes, “Knowing what I know now, it is impossible for me to look at dams the same way ever again.”
33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara
805-963-0761. More Info4•1•1
DamNation has its Central Coast premiere on Wednesday, May 21, at the Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St.) at 7 p.m. For tickets and info, call (805) 966-4946 or visit damnationfilm.com.
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