Living River - by Dave Showalter (Hardcover)

About the Book

A visually arresting and galvanizing portrayal of the living Colorado River watershed and the challenges it faces

Book Synopsis

"An informative examination and celebration of the beautiful and endangered Colorado River and its importance for people and wildlife." ― Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Independent Publisher Book Award Gold Medal Winner • National Outdoor Book Award Winner • High Plains Book Awards Finalist • Colorado Book Awards Finalist • Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist

• Engages and inspires readers on an epic watershed journey that celebrates life, beauty, and resilience
• The famed Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American West
• Addresses the antiquated water allocation guidelines that are set to be revised in 2026

With powerful visual storytelling, Living River illustrates how we can create a resilient watershed if we change our relationship with water. Exploring the endangered Colorado River from source to sea, award-winning photographer Dave Showalter provides a deeper understanding of how countless numbers of creatures and 40 million humans depend upon its water and how the futures of all are inextricably linked to the health of the river.

Starting at the headwaters in the Continental Divide, Showalter covers the wide range of issues facing the river and highlights places that demonstrate the land's resilience, offering hope for the future. Throughout, he weaves in the stories of riverkeepers like Cynthia Wilson, who works to ensure universal access to clean water for her Diné community; Holly Richter, a conservation leader on the San Pedro River; and Tom Koerner, manager of the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge.

Living River forms the foundation for a robust impact campaign that will inform and influence stakeholders in the development of a new river compact, one that embraces new technology, conserves and restores our western rivers for wildlife and recreation, and recalibrates water consumption within the Colorado River system.

Review Quotes

Living River is a stunning visual tribute to the Colorado River, capturing its beauty and the vibrant communities that depend on it.-- "Colorado Book Awards Creative Nonfiction Selection Committee"

With photographs and text beginning at the headwaters and ending at the delta of the Colorado, Showalter does a deep dive into the many issues facing the river and focuses on people that are making a difference now. This book is about hope for the future, and couldn't we all use a little of that right now?--Marya Johnston "The Colorado Sun"

A celebration of the river and the dedicated individuals working toward solutions. Combining superb photography, essays and interviews, the author takes us to different parts of the river's watershed and provides us with an informed and enlightened view of the Colorado and its promise.-- "National Outdoor Book Award Judges"

Showalter's writing weaves expertly through the book, bringing the reader a step closer into his perspective behind the lens.... Showalter's depiction of the Colorado River reads as if one were reading about a beloved family member. There is reverence and appreciation in each story.--Bianca Morales "Tucson Sentinel"

Gorgeous-- "Orion Magazine"

A timely, informative, and inspiring contribution to our on-going national conversation about the management issues and controversies concerning the preservation and utilization of the Colorado River.-- "Midwest Book Review"

An informative examination and celebration of the beautiful and endangered Colorado River and its importance for people and wildlife.-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"