Grand Canyon In Depth Video Podcast Series

Date: July 28, 2014
Contact: Jacob Fillion, 928-638-7762

Grand Canyon, Ariz. –Grand Canyon In Depth is the video podcast series that explores the natural and human history of Grand Canyon National Park. The series features park rangers, scientists, and historians as they take us beyond the rim of the canyon to discover the diversity of life and the extraordinary beauty of Grand Canyon National Park.

In Episode 02, Hidden Waters, viewers journey with scientists to explore some of the seeps and springs hidden deep within Grand Canyon. Springs provide the local water for Grand Canyon National Park and offer significant resources to park visitors and wildlife alike. Spring water provides the park with its entire domestic water supply, enough to serve a community of 2,500 residents and 4.5 million visitors per year.

Even the smallest seeps enable abundant plant and animal life to grow and flourish. In fact, the ecosystems of Grand Canyon's seeps and springs represent some of the most complicated, diverse, productive, provocative, and threatened ecosystems on earth. The video podcast series is being produced and directed by Ryan Christensen of Bristlecone Media, located in Bishop California. Work began on the series in May of 2013 and filming continues on an ongoing basis. The series includes an original score composed by Alexis Marsh and Samuel Jones of Los Angeles, Calif. Ryan Christensen stated, "I work very hard to put the camera in places to capture one-of-a-kind images – especially in places most visitors would not venture."

Christensen also stated, "While filming episode two, Hiddden Waters, I was continually surprised by the diversity of springs found in Grand Canyon. They are precious and vital threads in the fabric that comprises the Canyon. Each spring is unique and each has a story to tell. Grand Canyon National Park hydrologist, Cynthia Valle, Museum of Northern Arizona ecologist, Dr. Larry Stevens and University of New Mexico Geochemist, Dr. Laura J. Crossey, know the hydrology of the canyon intimately. Their knowledge is important to understanding the threats and challenges Grand Canyon National Park faces in protecting its springs."

Upcoming episodes of Grand Canyon in Depth will explore Phantom Ranch, Night Skies, and the Desert View Watchtower. To view Hidden Waters, visit https://go.nps.gov/indepth. The video may also be viewed on the park's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6yuKXKD2WI

Grand Canyon in Depth is produced by the National Park Service in association with Bristlecone Media and Grand Canyon Association, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park.

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