atchafalaya expedition info sheet
DESCRIPTION
Discover a Big River’s resiliency and film a short video explaining how the Atchafalaya River exemplifies the way rivers & watersheds can cleanse themselves, given the opportunity.TRANSCRIPT
ATCHAFALAYA EXPEDITION The Atchafalaya River is a distributary of the Mississippi and Red Rivers. At nearly one-million acres, the Atchafalaya Basin is North America’s largest riverine swamp. It contains sizeable ecosystems of marshland, bottomland forests, lakes, bayous, and estuaries. The Atchafalaya (Native American for Long River) offers a baseline for big river health and ecosystem services.
The Atchafalaya Basin is a key estuary for nesting, breeding, and migration of 250 bird species, 60 species of reptiles & amphibians, and it is also the life-support system for close to 100 species of fish. One of the most profound aspects of the Atchafalaya River is its ability to improve water quality as the river runs it’s 140+ mile course. The question we aim to answer is, can other BIG rivers improve their water quality if given the chance? We will also test our prototype water monitoring devices.
Expedition Contacts: Kristian Gustavson, Below the Surface (760) 277-3503 [email protected] John Ruskey, Quapaw Canoe Company (662) 902-7841, [email protected]
Who: Below the Surface & the Quapaw Canoe Company: www.island63.com What: Lay the foundation for establishing TMDL standards on the Mississippi River Where: Rendezvous in Clarksdale, MS for outfitting & a night on the town at its renowned blues joints. Travel to the Old River Control Structure and embark on Mississippi River, to the Red River, to the Atchafalaya River and conclude in Morgan City, LA When: February 6-14, 2010 Why: Discover a Big River’s resiliency and film a short video explaining how the Atchafalaya River exemplifies the way rivers & watersheds can cleanse themselves, given the opportunity. Collaborate with conservation organizations, state agencies, & businesses to better understand and promote local efforts that bring attention to the importance of the Atchafalaya Basin. Test water monitoring equipment & gear How: Paddle Power in the famous ‘Ladybug’ a 26’5’’ Voyager-style Canoe hand-carved by John Ruskey from Louisiana Bald Cyprus
www.belowthesurface.org
Objective: Gain an understanding of the Atchafalaya River’s ability to cleanse itself as it flows downstream in comparison to the Mississippi River and to what degree the water quality improves since pollution sources are limited