So people from the U.S. use 1/3 the bottled water as people from Italy and France, and 1/2 as much as those from Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Day 9 - The Grand Finale, Winds and Waves
We are in the Delta - after much effort and fighting a current that switched to flow south to north. The final day of our expedition met us with increasingly strong winds blowing upstream into the Sacramento from the South, and an ever increasing tidal current flowing upstream against our progress. We reached a point where we simply weren't making any ground, as we were able to paddle only as fast as the current was coming in - sort of like being trapped in time.
The trip has been extraordinary, we've seen and learned much about navigating rivers, about the unique factors and issues the Sacramento faces and about the generosity of people along the way. Many individuals helped us out along the way, the human element made this trip go from successful to inspiring.
On the drive home, we saw many reminders of how Sacramento River issues are being borne out downstream - signs along I-5 south declaring "Congress Created Dust Bowl", decrying the fact that Sacramento's sewage disposal becomes drinking water for 20 million Californians and green orchards lie starkly contrasted against brown and yellowed hillsides. We made our way down the California Aqueduct and marveled at the massive infrastructure required to move water through the State - including an off-road foray along the massive pumping system that sends water up and over the Tehachapi Mountain Range north and east of Los Angeles.
We have much to do now, to learn about the EPA discharge requirements, what is permitted to enter these waterways and contrast these findings with what we saw. We'll be working hard to gather this information and develop educational materials focused on the river and what individuals can do to help clean it up.
Thanks to everyone from the crew at The Fly Shop and Yaaks downstream to John at Tony's who made this trip possible, to Guy McClellan, our web designer for coming along and driving our chase truck, for attempting to catch dinner for us while we were hard at work paddling and filming, and for keeping our web content updated. Most importantly, thanks again to Clif Bar, Ecousable, Hadronex, Ocean Minded and Go Pro for helping us out along the way.
Keep checking out our website over the next few months for updates on our Sacramento River work, and for our plans to step up our expeditions and research on the Mississippi River next year and beyond.
Jared
The trip has been extraordinary, we've seen and learned much about navigating rivers, about the unique factors and issues the Sacramento faces and about the generosity of people along the way. Many individuals helped us out along the way, the human element made this trip go from successful to inspiring.
On the drive home, we saw many reminders of how Sacramento River issues are being borne out downstream - signs along I-5 south declaring "Congress Created Dust Bowl", decrying the fact that Sacramento's sewage disposal becomes drinking water for 20 million Californians and green orchards lie starkly contrasted against brown and yellowed hillsides. We made our way down the California Aqueduct and marveled at the massive infrastructure required to move water through the State - including an off-road foray along the massive pumping system that sends water up and over the Tehachapi Mountain Range north and east of Los Angeles.
We have much to do now, to learn about the EPA discharge requirements, what is permitted to enter these waterways and contrast these findings with what we saw. We'll be working hard to gather this information and develop educational materials focused on the river and what individuals can do to help clean it up.
Thanks to everyone from the crew at The Fly Shop and Yaaks downstream to John at Tony's who made this trip possible, to Guy McClellan, our web designer for coming along and driving our chase truck, for attempting to catch dinner for us while we were hard at work paddling and filming, and for keeping our web content updated. Most importantly, thanks again to Clif Bar, Ecousable, Hadronex, Ocean Minded and Go Pro for helping us out along the way.
Keep checking out our website over the next few months for updates on our Sacramento River work, and for our plans to step up our expeditions and research on the Mississippi River next year and beyond.
Jared
Friday, October 2, 2009
AB408 agricultural runoff. nonpoint source pollution and water quality in the Sa
Below The Surface Press Conference in Discovery Park. Sacramento, CA
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Day 8 - The Sewerage Debacle
We took Sacramento by storm yesterday, putting in at the Virgin Sturgeon bar and continuing south to Clarksburg. As we wove our way from riverbank to riverbank, assessing the shoreline and myriad intake and outfall pipes, piers and waterfront scenery, we stumbled upon a massive concrete slab starting at the top of the levee and running into the water. Two parallel pipes nearly 40 feet in length with several small outfall ports run across the top. Below these pipes, the entire concrete face of the levee - nearly 40 feet to the water - is covered in a thick crusted brown and rust colored substance. There were no signes indicating the content of the pipes and their effluent, they are just there without warning other than "Caution - Stay Off". Whatever is coming out of those pipes isn't good for the marine life up and downstream or as a supplement to our drinking water supply, given the amount of corrosion on the concrete face of the levee wall (the river water is so turbid and filled with algae that one cannot see more than a few inches below the surface).
Continuing downstream under the Freeport Bridge, we couldn't help but notice the overwhelming smell of sewerage and detergents lingering on the river like a fog over a lake in the early morning hours. As we continued to paddle and wonder at the source, we heard a rush of water about 3/4 of a mile downstream and came upon a large - perhaps 36 inch diameter - outfall pipe that stank of sewerage. The end of the pipe has a cast iron hood over the end of it, which was pulsating riverward from the pressure of water behind it. The water spewing forth into our riverine highway and major drinking water source is full of thick, robust chunks of algae and other growth - a sure sign of the high "nutrient" content often associated with sewerage. Such practice of dumping sewerage into our rivers, lakes and oceans has been the standard for "wastewater disposal" throughout much of human history (save for some more forward thinking groups and societies). The Environmental Protection Agency regulates sewerage discharge as such. Perhaps time for a more proactive use of this water - not as waste but as a source (a practice utilized by many of the more progressive wastewater agencies throughout the world - we'll continue that conversation over a relaxing and tasty pint of Alaskan Brewing Company's Smoked Porter).
The paddle was slow and boring. As we found out from Harbormaster James in Clarksburg, we are technically in the Delta now, and as such the river (and our humble vessel and aching backs) are subject to the changing tides of the ocean - nearly 200 nautical miles from the ocean! The incoming tide travels approxmiately 1 1/2 knots upstream, fast enough to counteract the downstream flow. This amounts to paddling across a still body of water - no more current to carry us south.
We have about 40 miles to go until we hit the Delta - nearly 260 miles behind us. Today is our press conference, so we're off to Discovery Park. Tilt back a fresh cup of coffee (not too fast, lest your lips scald like a canoe-paddlin' man's after a week and a half in the sun), and email your local Assembly Member and demand they hold water polluters accountable so your coffee can continue to taste like coffee.
A toute suite,
Jared
Continuing downstream under the Freeport Bridge, we couldn't help but notice the overwhelming smell of sewerage and detergents lingering on the river like a fog over a lake in the early morning hours. As we continued to paddle and wonder at the source, we heard a rush of water about 3/4 of a mile downstream and came upon a large - perhaps 36 inch diameter - outfall pipe that stank of sewerage. The end of the pipe has a cast iron hood over the end of it, which was pulsating riverward from the pressure of water behind it. The water spewing forth into our riverine highway and major drinking water source is full of thick, robust chunks of algae and other growth - a sure sign of the high "nutrient" content often associated with sewerage. Such practice of dumping sewerage into our rivers, lakes and oceans has been the standard for "wastewater disposal" throughout much of human history (save for some more forward thinking groups and societies). The Environmental Protection Agency regulates sewerage discharge as such. Perhaps time for a more proactive use of this water - not as waste but as a source (a practice utilized by many of the more progressive wastewater agencies throughout the world - we'll continue that conversation over a relaxing and tasty pint of Alaskan Brewing Company's Smoked Porter).
The paddle was slow and boring. As we found out from Harbormaster James in Clarksburg, we are technically in the Delta now, and as such the river (and our humble vessel and aching backs) are subject to the changing tides of the ocean - nearly 200 nautical miles from the ocean! The incoming tide travels approxmiately 1 1/2 knots upstream, fast enough to counteract the downstream flow. This amounts to paddling across a still body of water - no more current to carry us south.
We have about 40 miles to go until we hit the Delta - nearly 260 miles behind us. Today is our press conference, so we're off to Discovery Park. Tilt back a fresh cup of coffee (not too fast, lest your lips scald like a canoe-paddlin' man's after a week and a half in the sun), and email your local Assembly Member and demand they hold water polluters accountable so your coffee can continue to taste like coffee.
A toute suite,
Jared
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Gone fishin' or fish gone?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Day 7 - Sacramento!
Kristian and I paddled through increasingly still and turbid waters
today. Despite the fact that we intersected with another river, the
Feather River, the flow rate appeared to decrease (it took us nearly 8
hours to cover approximately 25 miles - one of the slowest days yet).
Nevertheless, we have made it to Sacramento - we'll be passing through
West Sacramento near the Capitol building tomorrow.
today. Despite the fact that we intersected with another river, the
Feather River, the flow rate appeared to decrease (it took us nearly 8
hours to cover approximately 25 miles - one of the slowest days yet).
Nevertheless, we have made it to Sacramento - we'll be passing through
West Sacramento near the Capitol building tomorrow.
The confluence of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers is a beautiful
sight. The isthmus between the two rivers draws a stark contrast
between the highly turbid algal green hue of the Lower Sacramento and
the healthy clear blue of the Feather River. Alas, this is merely a
Maginot Line, as the distinct colors meld into the shade of green
reminiscent of the Sacramento River we've traveled over the last few
days.
Over our rather humdrum paddle, we counted 2 car doors, Kristian
pointed out the well decomposed shell of a car, the seat from a car, a
sofa and assorted trash and post consumer waste. One person was so
considerate as to at least bag the trash prior to leaving it on the
river bank. It is frustrating to see our drinking water source (and
the downstream portion of such a beautiful body of water and sustainer
of life) treated with such disregard. This is, nevertheless, a strong
call to action for all of us. Rivers provide an element that is the
essence of life, and it is our duty to protect them - lest we destroy
our means of survival.
Fortunately, the wind was across the starboard side of the boat and
against our stern today, so we weren't fighting Ma' Nature the entire
way.
We'll be hosting a press conference at Discovery Park in Sacramento
near the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers on Friday
October 2 2009 at 10 am. email me - jared@belowthesurface.org for the
media alert, and please tell at least 3 people about it. Thanks for
the support!
--
Jared Robinson Criscuolo
BELOW THE SURFACE
A coast-to-coast exploration of America's waterways
203 887 3272
www.belowthesurface.org
http://www.uniflip.com/online-magazines/3/16916/29716/pub/index.html
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