NRS Films

Remains of a River

Episode 9: Concrete Creek

For the first time after portaging around a dam, Will and Zak are confused. Where did the Colorado River go? Now all the flow has been divided up into concrete-lined canals. They see the river’s water “converted into lettuce.” Crossing the border into Mexico to finish tracing the path of this great river, they enter unknown territory. What will they find as they make their way to the sea?

Two friends. 113 days. 1,700 miles. One endangered river.

From October 2011 to January 2012, Will Stauffer-Norris and Zak Podmore hiked and paddled from Wyoming's Wind River Mountains to Mexico following the Colorado River system from its farthest inland source to the sea, filming and narrating on the fly. The resulting film series, Remains of a River, is an unforgettable story of friendship, adventure and environmental degradation. At turns inspiring and alarming, these ten short works will have you laughing, marveling, shaking your head, and maybe planning an adventure of your own.