Anonymous street artists painted a dotted line and scissors on the defunct Matilija Dam in 2011. The dam has been slated for removal for years, but additional studies are being conducted to decide how best to deal with the trapped sediment and downstream water supply. Matilija Dam is owned by the County of Ventura, California in a scene from DAMNATION. Photo: Matt Stoecker

DamNation

Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ 08542

Princeton Public Library

Jan 30
Princeton, NJ 7:00 PM

DamNation

Jan. 30, 2015 -  7:00 p.m., Princeton Public Library

Filmmakers Ben Knight and Travis Rummel explore the recent movement to remove old and outdated dams to restore natural river systems across the United States.  Profiling activists and advocates who are working to free the rivers, the film delves into the science, economics and history of dams, 30,000 of which were erected in the U.S. between 1950 and 1970. The change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to a growing awareness that our own future is tied to the life and health of our rivers is also examined.

Running time: 89 min.

A discussion follows the screening led by Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association Executive Director Jim Waltman and Science Director Amy Soli.