Wild & Scenic Mobilized 1,300 Dam Watchdogs

Dam Watchdogs are people who are helping us scrutinize every angle of the Centennial Dam project and raise awareness of the impacts on the Yuba and Bear Rivers, water supply and wildlife.

More than 1,300 people became Dam Watchdogs at our 2017 Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Thank you all for choosing to stay informed and updated about upcoming outreach and volunteer opportunities. Whether we are submitting public comments, attending public meetings, or educating the community, every voice counts.

If you’re not a Dam Watchdog yet, it’s not too late. Sign-up here.

Wild & Scenic is a call to action. At the festival, film-goers are transformed into a congregation of committed activists, dedicated to saving our increasingly threatened planet. Wild & Scenic both informs people about the state of the world and inspires them to take action. There were a number of opportunities to take action and get involved on local issues, especially on Centennial Dam.

We’ve summarized the Centennial presentations below and will post the video recordings when they become available.

WILD & SCENIC WORKSHOP: How a New Dam on the Bear River Threatens Native American’s Living Culture

Shelly Covert, Tribal Council Secretary and Spokes Person led a panel discussion about the impact dams have had historically on Native Tribes. The discussion talked about the dangers of the proposed new dam on the Bear River. Shelly was joined by Native American Artist, Judith Lowry, Wanda Batchelor who is the great-granddaughter of Chief Louis Kelly, and other guests. A video of this workshop will soon be available online.

WILD & SCENIC WORKSHOP: So Many Dam Alternatives

Jonas Minton, Senior Water Policy Advisor, Planning & Conservation League
Sarah Yarnell, Senior Researcher, UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences
Jeff Odefey, Director, Clean Water Supply, American Rivers

Climate change is upon us and will continue affecting the water supply profile of the Yuba and Bear River watersheds in unpredictable ways. Recognizing this, Nevada Irrigation District has proposed one possible action: build another dam on the Bear River. Is this the most economical, sustainable, and resilient answer for California? This workshop explored alternatives to consider in evaluating upcoming economic and environmental analyses of NID’s proposal. Experts discussed practical water delivery and demand efficiencies and watershed scale management opportunities. Our local water challenges and solutions will be a model for California’s sustainable water future. A video of this workshop will soon be available online.

WILD & SCENIC FILM:  Voice of the Bear River*

Voice of the Bear, will be available at the SYRCL’s  Wild & Scenic Film Library soon (FREE to SYRCL Members)

Produced by John Marlow | 2016 | 20 min.
2017 Official Selection

Witness the stunning beauty of the Bear and Yuba watershed. These rivers are at the mercy of Centennial Reservoir. 72 Billion Gallons have been requested to be removed from the Bear River, affecting farmers, fishermen, wildlife, and many more. Centennial Dam would flood more than six miles of this beautiful valley, flooding Native American burial grounds, loved recreation places, tourist attractions, and the homes of our fellow citizens. Centennial Dam would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, but what about the other costs? This film takes an intensive look into Centennial Dam, and what it could mean for us. More info at: www.SaveBearRiver.com.

*this film is produced by an independent filmmaker, not SYRCL