Below the Surface - Spring to Sandtrap Expedition on the Sacramento River

EXPEDITIONS

Spring to Sandtrap

It may be considered unwise to order a bottle of wine without asking its origin; the same goes for knowing the source of our water. The Sacramento River delivers most of the water to Northern California residents and to one of the largest agricultural areas in the world. Through a 400-mile long system of aqueducts & pumps Southern-California residents receive about 25% of their water from the Sacramento River. We began our expedition by drinking pure water from the base of Mt. Shasta and concluded it by paddling over 300-miles into California’s Delta (yes, they have one too)!

The Spring to Sandtrap Expedition Fall 2009

The Sacramento River is one of two sources that feeds into The State Water Project. It is approximately 320 miles in length, winding from the mountains of Northern California down to the Delta near the city of Sacramento. The full State Water Project includes 34 storage facilities, reservoirs and lakes; 20 pumping plants; 4 pumping-generating plants; 5 hydroelectric power plants; and about 701 miles of open canals and pipelines. The State Water Project provides supplemental water to approximately 20 million Californians and about 660,000 acres of irrigated farmland.

The story continues at our blog springtosandtrap.blogspot.com

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There are 18 golf courses within a few miles of Oceanside and Carlsbad in Southern California, but no natural freshwater supply for hundreds of miles. In order to promote conservation, we must promote understanding of how this feat is possible. We must make the best use of the water we have by keeping the fairways green with recycled water, not wasting drinking water to feed an oasis.

Who: Jared Criscuolo will be embarking on a canoe trip down the Sacramento River and the State Water Project, accompanied by Kristian Gustavson and chase crew. As an environmental activist, surfer and businessman in San Diego, Jared has a great sense of urgency about water. Jared is bringing the value of water home and focusing attention on water use practices, by tracing the course of water, from the Spring to the Sandtrap.

What: The Sacramento River is one of two sources that feeds into The State Water Project. It is approximately 320 miles in length, winding from the mountains of Northern California down to the Delta near the city of Sacramento. The full State Water Project includes 34 storage facilities, reservoirs and lakes; 20 pumping plants; 4 pumping-generating plants; 5 hydroelectric power plants; and about 701 miles of open canals and pipelines. The State Water Project provides supplemental water to approximately 20 million Californians and about 660,000 acres of irrigated farmland.

When: Fall 2009 - Status Complete

Where: Spring to Sandtrap will start in Lake Shasta and end in Lake Perris. The trip will follow waterways, both natural and manmade, through nearly 764 miles of wilderness, rivers, villages towns and cities, multiple climate zones, over mountains, through reservoirs, open canals, pumping stations and ultimately to Southern California businesses and homeowners where lush green temperate landscapes thrive in a desert climate.

Why: Water deliveries to Southern California farmers have been cut by 30% over the past two years and delivery to businesses and residents will be cut 20%. Delivery costs are expected to skyrocket – by 26% next year and low double/high single digit multiples over the next 5 years, yet upon the request of Mayor Jerry Sanders, residents of San Diego only cut back their water use by 6%, missing the required 10% cutback and resulting in mandatory cutbacks of up to 20%. Current environmental demands raise the greater question of the sustainability of such massive water conveyance projects and the development practices they enable.

How: The message of the need for conservation by individuals will be carried out through presentations with partner organizations along the course of the journey, weekly river cleanups, day trips down the Sacramento River with Jared and filming and promotion of a documentary and short videos that demonstrate the complexity of moving water to allow for the lifestyle enjoyed in Southern California.

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