thomasoneal Promoted and supported by Patagonia, DamNation takes an in depth look at an environmental issue which few Americans are aware of. This environmental documentary explores the importance of dams with reference to their history in America, influence on culture, impact on the environment, importance to agriculture, and energy efficiency. The main environmental issue concerning dams which is discussed throughout the film is the impact of dams on salmon spawning, America's response to salmon spawning with fish hatcheries, and the conservational inefficiency of (and harm caused by) fish hatcheries. The film also looks at the history of government funded dam construction and cultural backlash and call for dam removal. Not only have dams destroyed salmon spawning routs, but also flooded areas of incredible beauty and of immense cultural and historical importance to Native Americans. DamNation bring to light the hypocrisy and corruption behind the construction and maintenance of many major dams on rivers such as the Snake and Colorado. Released in 2014, this powerful and visually stunning documentary calls for major revisions and reevaluations of the value of all dams in the US. DamNation does a great job presenting the several different, complex issues surrounding dams in America, however it is biased. The film takes the effort to interview dam workers and hydro power supporters; however, the film mostly focuses on the negative effects of dams and why removal necessary. DamNation is considered both a documentary and adventure film. Documentaries often struggle to maintain the interest of the audience but DamNation is not just able to entertain the audience with action and visually beautiful shots, but also inspire them stand on environmental issues and to enjoy the outdoors. I would recommend this film to all young adults and anyone interested in environmental issues.

Yoyo Deep I have heard that dams are not good for environment, and I was expecting to know why human would be better without dams. However the film was way too shallow, tunnel-visioned and very subjective. Science is not a belief. We want to see evidences and know analysis, not just emotional feelings or someone's own reminiscence. There are so much more to talk about of benefits of removing dams on environment, economics and, especially, on human development.The film, focusing narrowly on something that will only affect a very small population and very few aspects of people's life, failed to delivery any powerful or persuasive reasons to audience as to why dams should be removed.

tonyloans-tx I'm a bit of a hybrid Republican. I grew up in California and was a child in the late 1960's and early 70's which gave me a strong appreciation for nature. Later, the business influence of my family and where I ended up career-wise had me understand how business operates. However, it never impacted my love of nature and its wonders. This documentary exposed a lot of critical information we don't normally receive from the mainstream (no pun intended) media. I had no idea we have so many dams in the USA! To see that some were made close to each other along the same waterway was shocking! As I saw the map of their placement all that ran through my mind was, "What where the planners thinking?!" I see this as a business opportunity for more windmills to be placed in desert areas where little life exists and minimal environmental impact is realized. Then, every single dam that does not include flood control and fish passages (https://www.nwcouncil.org/history/FishPassage) in its operations can be on the chopping block for closure and tear down. As a nation, we went way too far. I challenge the documentary team to post a list of dams they find acceptable that maintain human life still function well with nature. From my perception, not all dams are bad but after watching this, I know now that many should have never been built. For those who care about this subject, there are several times when you will get emotional. When you will understand the beauty and ecology of an area that ended up devastated after a dams was built, it can hit you in the gut. You will see native cultures that were damaged by the negative impact on the land which they so passionately love and shared with nature. The emotional loss is like losing a loved one. I'm grateful this documentary was made and showed a passion for sharing information without being pushy about it. If you end up 50% as passionate as the documentary team, you will be able to make a difference.

karenr DamNation really surprised me - very fascinating, very compelling, and I didn't go in already converted. An excellent film - hats off to Travis Rummel and Ben Knight and also to Yvon Chouinard. The film is a real eye-opener. It avoids didactic, but makes you feel the power and importance of rivers to America. Who knew we have 70,000 dams in the US, most doing nothing useful at this point? I want everyone to see this film - it is really good, really exciting and really important. It is hard to make fish truly sympathetic, they are cold, scaly and expressionless. But this film has me convinced that anything able to swim 900 miles deserve our support, and the removal of a few dams doing nothing useful at this point.