Acclaimed documentary DamNation traces the historical importance of dams in America, and provides the audience with the conclusion that they are an artifact of the past. Gone are the days of hydropower, and the film displays new ways to meet energy, shipping and irrigation needs.
When a river is blocked off by man-made forces, the consesquences are wide-reaching. First and foremost, they prevent species like Steelhead Salmon from returning to their native breeding grounds. At the Elwha dam, located in Washington, these fish still slam into the cement barrier headfirst in an attempt to get home more than a century after the dam was constructed.
A series of dams built on the upper Snake River serve one purpose and one purpose only: a shipping route to transport goods upstream. These were constructed despite the fact that a perfectly good railroad route lay directly next to it. Now, steps are being taken to remove the dams, which prevent wild salmon populations from reaching their native breeding grounds.
We are able to turn deserts into oases, and build cities in the middle of nowhere, when the power of the mighty river is contained. But there is the question if it is worth it. Towns built around dams are in constant danger, the “natural disaster” that occurred when The South Fork Dam on the Little Conemaugh River broke and flooded Johnstown, Pennsylvania being just one example.
The best part of this film is its all-inclusiveness, as the filmmakers interview anti-dam activists, hydropower employees, tribes of people affected and even attempt to talk to some pro-dam politicians who “reluctantly let us in, and then not so reluctantly asked us to leave.”
Katie, a 90-something year old with more spunk in her pinky finger than anyone else has in his/her entire body, recounts tales of “salvaging” artifacts from Glen Canyon before it was flooded to make room for Lake Powell–a misleading name, since it is technically just a giant reservoir.
Since the construction of this and many other dams along the Colorado, seasons can pass in which no fresh water reaches the Sea of Cortez, leaving communities along southern Colorado dry. But, some would argue, at least we can gamble in Las Vegas.
From the fictional Monkey Wrench Gang to the very real artist responsible for painting a crack in the face of the Hetch Hetchy dam, we have finally realized the mistake in turning free-flowing bodies of water into “series of chain-linked reservoirs.” Fish on the Colombia River must pass through eight such obstacles in order to get home. One year, only one fish made it.
Times are changing, and DamNation is a story of hope for those who wish to see these “deadbeat dams” removed. In 2012, the last of the Elwha dam was taken out, and salmon are already being seen in their native grounds after 106 years of being away.
The jig is up for these dams, and it’s time to get on board. Join SUSCOM and Alpine Club for a free screening of DamNation on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in Davis Auditorium. A talk back with co-director Travis Rummel will follow. For more information, visit www.damnation.com.
