Craig Denton became sensitive to water issues in the west while working on his documentary, “People of the West Desert.”
After hearing news clips about the Bear River and the potential impact proposed dams could have on water in the West, Denton began work on a new project.
After six years of research, photographing and interviews Denton turned his work into the exhibit “Bear River: Last Chance to Change Course,” which is now on display at the Utah Museum of Natural History. The Bear River runs from Idaho and Wyoming through northern Utah and feeds into the Great Salt Lake.
Denton, a professor in the communication department and documentary photographer, began his photo documentary about the Bear River with the hope that it would raise awareness of water issues in Utah. His photographs depict the river in different seasons and capture its surrounding features. In his book, which shares the same name as the exhibit, Denton explores the history, physical features, water, ecology and people that define and encompass the Bear River.
“I just hope the book and exhibit will sensitize people to water issues and force policy makers to look at things more broadly and realize there are still questions that haven’t been asked or answered yet,” Denton said. “We have options with energy sources, we have no other options with water. There is no substitute for water, so water in the 21st century will be a bigger issue than energy.”
In his work, Denton covers topics critical to the Bear River’s and Utah’s future: water conservation, the impact that potential diversions could have on the Great Salt Lake and the lake effect that delivers Utah’s snow pack in the winter.
“A documentary has its greatest effect over time,” Denton said. “It takes time for people to become exposed to the issues and do their own research to extend the message. Documentaries push the issues, so people delve deeper into them.”
Denton’s book offers in-depth interviews with the stakeholders who lay claim to the river’s water, covering hydropower operations run by Rocky Mountain Power, and farmers who use water from the Bear River for irrigation purposes.
Both the book and the exhibit examine “human” stakeholders in the river and the inevitable conflicts that exist between the old notion of unrestricted growth in the West and the new mentality of conservation, Denton said. He said changing demographics are fueling a change in political thought.
“I think it’s an important body of work, because it tackles the important issue of water in the West,” said Becky Menlove, an administrator at the museum. “What’s neat about it is that it’s Craig’s perspective, but he was able to bring in a variety of other views when we consider changing the course of rivers in the West.”
Denton said the Bear River is being threatened by several proposed dams that would divert an estimated 220,000 acre- feet of water from the Bear to reservoirs. One acre-foot of water is enough to supply a family of four for one year, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources.
“The proposed dams would largely send the water south to support lawn watering on the Wasatch Front,” said Merritt Frey, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council. “Why should the people of northern Utah give up so much of their river to support water waste on the Wasatch Front, when better water conservation efforts can supply the Wasatch Front’s water needs at less cost than the dams?”
Denton said it’s up to the public to be more conscious of how they use water to preserve rivers like the Bear.
“Water is a finite resource,” Denton said.
According to The United States Geological Service, Utahns consume about 293 gallons of water per person per day, second in water consumption after Nevada. An estimated 65 percent of water usage in Utah is for landscaping purposes.
Denton’s exhibit will be on display until Dec. 31 at the Utah Museum of Natural History, located in Presidents’ Circle. Admission is free for U faculty and students, $6 for adults and $3.50 for seniors.
Craig Denton’s exhibit, “Bear River