Chasing Water: A 1,500-Mile Quest Down the Colorado River
Clark Center Auditorium
Stanford University
318 Campus Drive West
Stanford, CA 94305
We are pleased to present the film "Chasing Water" at Stanford on April 23. The film, by the acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride, takes viewers on a 1,500-mile journey down the Colorado River to its arid terminus in the Mexican desert, many miles short of its historical connection with the Gulf of California. McBride will also show some of his recent work documenting the latest pulse flow across the delta the first binational agreement of its kind with a component for environmental restoration.
This screening is part of the yearlong film series "Ripple Effects" on the past, present, and future of western water, which is co-sponsored by Water in the West. Please RSVP using the link above.
About the Film
In "Chasing Water," photojournalist Peter McBride sets out to document the flow of the Colorado River from source to sea. A Colorado native, McBride hails from a ranching family that depends on the Colorado for irrigation, and this is the story of his backyard. His simple desire is to find out where the irrigation water of his youth went after his family used it, and how long it took the water to reach the ocean. His experience, however, is not so straightforward, analogous, perhaps, to tracking down a special friend from childhood—one who was always full of vitality—only to find her utterly changed and diminished. Writer John Waterman joins McBride on this 1,500-mile journey, one that shows how the thirst of the 30 million that the Colorado supports takes a unhealthy toll.
Taking first paddle board across the delta (and possibly the last), McBride’s recent work shows what can happen when two countries Mexico and U.S. work together. His work on the Colorado and other major rivers like the Ganges led National Geographic to name him “a fresh water hero.”
Watch the Trailer for "Chasing Water"
Participants
Pete McBride
Native Coloradan Pete McBride has spent almost two decades studying the world with his camera. A self-taught, award-winning photographer, filmmaker and writer, he has traveled on assignment to over 60 countries for the publications of the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian, Outside, Men’s Journal, Esquire, STERN and many others.
Raised on a Colorado cattle ranch, Pete is passionate about story telling and unique, gripping ways to communicate stories, whether it involves vantages from 20,000 feet or swimming below icebergs. His perspective on capturing water-related stories led American Photo Magazine to list Pete as "one of the top five water photographers" in the nation.
After a decade working mostly abroad, Pete decided to focus his cameras closer to home on a subject closer to his heart. Combining his passion for aviation and his belief in conservation, he spent over two years documenting his local river — the Colorado. This journey culminated in the acclaimed coffee table book: “The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict," an award-winning short film, “Chasing Water” and a traveling museum exhibit/ lecture currently touring the U.S.
In 2011 and 2012, his film “Chasing Water” won over 20 film festival awards including “Best Short Documentary” at Canada’s Banff Mtn. Film Festival, “Best Environmental Film” at England’s Kendal Mtn. Festival and “Best Documentary” at Florida’s Clear Water Festival, to name a few.
His photography honors include awards from Pictures of the Year International, Photo Week DC, Communications Arts, The Society of Professional Journalists and a Knight Fellowship for Professional Journalists at Stanford University. In 2011, he was awarded “River Conservator” by the Roaring Fork Conservancy for his ongoing awareness work with water conservation.
When he's not on assignment, you can find Peter in the mountains or on the rivers around the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado.
Directions
The James H. Clark Center (at 318 Campus Drive) is located near the corner of Campus Drive West and Roth Way. Due to construction at Stanford Hospital, Roth Way and Welch Road are closed. More information on construction diversions is available from Stanford Transportation Services. We recommend parking in Parking Structure 1 and walking to the Clark Center across Campus Drive. Parking is free after 4pm.
FROM HWY. 280: Take the Sand Hill Rd, East exit and travel for approx. 2-3 miles. Turn right on Stock Farm Road. Turn left on Campus Drive West.
FROM HWY. 101: Take the Embarcadero Rd, West exit and travel for approximately 2- 3 miles. Turn right on El Camino Real. Exit at University and turn left on Palm Drive. Continue straight on Palm Drive. Turn right on Campus Drive West.
