Freshwater Films
Film Portfolio
Take a look at some of our award-winning short format films and feature documentaries produced with support from many partners and the critical support of our members and donors. Donate and become a member today for full film catalog and feature film access, license for academic use, and dedicated educational resources. K-12 educators, please see our Water Teachers page for honorary membership and benefits!
March of the Newts
Follow one of the forest's funkiest creatures into a gangly gathering of amphibious affection... and learn how you can help protect these sensitive animals from an emerging disease. Film Page & Resources
Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia [Feature Film]
Our newest feature film, Hidden Rivers explores the rivers and streams of Southern Appalachia, North America’s most biologically rich waters, and follows some of the Southerners who are finding ways to revive and protect the region’s unique aquatic biodiversity. Exclusive film access with membership. Film Page & Resources
Finding Salmon
Follow 11-year-old, Keyona, into a wondrous world of trees, water, and friendly fish... and find the spirit of Salmon Watch, a program that connects Oregon youth to their backyard river ecosystems. Film Page & Resources
TWISTED: The Power of a Parasite
Follow ecologist, Dr. Pieter Johnson, on a decades-long search for the causes of frog malformations, and discover the intricate nature of parasites in aquatic food webs. Film Page & Resources
Water from the Mountain - Agua de El Yunque
Follow the path of water from the rainforests of Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest to the Coastal communities that rely on fresh water… and discover one of the world’s most amazing water treatment (eco)systems. Film page & Resources
Protected - A Wild & Scenic River Portrait
With a canoe and a camera, writer/photographer and conservationist, Tim Palmer, explores his backyard waters of Oregon's Wild Rivers Coast, while reflecting on the federal law that protects many of them. Film Page & Resources
NOATAK - Wild & Scenic
Explore the Noatak, one of Alaska's wildest rivers, through the eyes of the people whose lives and livelihoods have long depended on its waters and wildlife, and discover the national conservation program that ensures that this and many other wild rivers will provide these values forever. Film Page & Resources
What You Take Away - A Colorado River Reflection
Grab your life jacket and join the awesome folks of Grand Canyon Youth and the USGS as they explore their way down the Grand Canyon, working to gain a deeper understanding of this irreplaceable river and the canyon it carved. Film Page & Resources
The Last Dragons - Protecting Appalachia’s Hellbenders
An intimate glimpse at North America's Eastern Hellbender, an ancient salamander that lives as much in myth as in reality.... and in many waters, myths are all that remain of these sentinel stream-dwellers. Film Page & Resources
Clackamas Complete - A Return of Bull Trout
Only enduring in the coldest, clearest, cleanest waters, Bull trout are a symbol of underwater wilderness. This film provides an intimate look into the secret lives of these disappearing char and the biologists working hard to return them to their native waters. Film Page & Resources
A Deeper Creek - The watchable waters of Appalachia
Dive into some of North America's richest rivers, and learn about innovative river snorkeling program that has brought thousands of citizen snorkelers to the vibrant waters of Southern Appalachia. Film Page & Resources
Shrimp, Inc.
A look at the nature and ecological role of freshwater shrimp, through the eyes of aquatic ecologist, Dr. Alan Covich. Our most shared film - Viewed over one million times on National Geographic youtube channel!
The Lost Fish - The struggle to save Pacific Lamprey [Feature Film]
In the Columbia River Basin, the little-known Pacific Lamprey has slipped through the cracks of conservation and is now lost from most of its historic range. Follow members of the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Yakama and Warm Springs Tribes who have taken the conservation of Pacific lamprey into their own hands. Film Page & Resources
UPRIVER - A Watershed Film [Feature Film]
UPRIVER explores the nature of watershed restoration through on of America’s most active river conservation movements taking place in Oregon’s Willamette River system. Exclusive film access with membership. Film Page & Resources
RiverWebs (Feature Film)
A film about life, death, science, and streams, RiverWebs explores the life and legacy of Japanese scientist, Dr. Shigeru Nakano, and the understanding he brought to the world of river ecology. Exclusive film access with membership. Film Page & Resources
Bringing Back the Brooks - A Revival of the South’s Trout
A poetic look at a forgotten native of Appalachia, the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, which is being brought back from the brink… by hand, bucket, and hoof. Film Page & Resources
Of A Greater Power - The Value of the Last Wild Rivers
An ongoing media project on the dam-threatened rivers of Costa Rica and Panama. With deep spiritual value for their rivers, some indigenous communities are using science as a tool to document their ecological value. See recent article in Biographic
Hanging On - Why Pacific Lamprey matter to Columbia Basin Tribes
A short film on Pacific lamprey and their cultural importance to the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama Tribes of the Columbia Basin. Produced as part of the The Lost Fish project.
Water & Wood - Restoring rivers with timber
A look at the powerful forces at work restoring the ecological values and functions of Northwest rivers, and the race to re-wood critical habitats for aquatic species like Spring Chinook Salmon, steelhead, lamprey, and many other aquatic critters. Produced as part of our UPRIVER project.
Ghosts of Glenwood Canyon - Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are a forgotten fish in many western waters, yet embody the very power and purity that mountain rivers symbolize. Peer through the bubbles to appreciate these masters of whitewater.