Disappearing Rio Grande

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Why Follow the Rio Grande

by Colin McDonald | Feb. 11, 2015

The Rio Grande is disappearing. Demand for water is growing as snow packs shrink, rain patterns shift and average temperatures rise faster than they ever have in the past 11,000 years.

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Administrative Day, Day 125

Colin McDonald paces as he makes phone calls to organize float trips, food deliveries and interviews for the next 300 miles of river. David Lozano looks on, waiting for the chance to get back on the river and help the expedition move towards the coast. Photo by: Jessica Lutz

By far, the most challenging part of this expedition is not the rapids, the elements or sleeping in odd places. It’s the basic logistics of getting people, boats and food in place.   

This all has to be done so the focus can be on the interviews, photos and videos. It’s not physically demanding, but it takes time and is exhausting.   

Today that’s what we took care of.

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While making his way to the Gulf of Mexico, Colin will be periodically activating a device that uses satellite technology to share his current location. Use this map to see where he traveled on this day.

Check-In Time of Check-In (CST) Latitude Longitude
#1 7:23 a.m. 29.31904 -103.59775
#2 6:49 p.m. 29.32176 -103.61591

About

To report on and understand the haphazard irrigation system the Rio Grande has become and the changes it is going through, Colin decided the best approach would be to travel the length of the Rio Grande by foot and small boat.

He knew it would give him a unique perspective on a river that few understand. It did require many long days of moving slowly and camping on muddy riverbanks, but Colin likes that sort of thing.

The benefit was it provided access to people who wanted to share their stories and experiences with the Rio Grande. Via Facebook and chance encounters, Colin made instant friends who opened their homes. They provided help from loaning their trucks to their cell phone contact lists to help tell the story of the Rio Grande.

The trip would not have been possible without their help, along with the dedicated assistance of David Lozano, Jason Jones and Daniel Dibona, who drove thousands of miles to get people and boats in place.

Contributors

Reporter
Photojournalist
Jessica Lutz
Photojournalist
Mike Kane
Photojournalist
Project Editor
Barbara Hosler
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