Seattle Chapter
Snowrider Project
Check out recent Snowrider Project News
In 1997, the Surfrider Foundation introduced the concept of the Snowrider Project in order to help educate snow enthusiasts on their intimate relationship with the hydrologic cycle. As skiers and snowboarders play in the most fragile part of the watershed, it becomes critical for them to see how their impact can affect this cycle. After all, their relationship with water is every bit as direct as those who surf.
In the year 2000, the Surfrider Foundation's presence in Washington consisted of just the Washington State Surfrider Chapter. A few of the volunteers (who eventually ended up helping create the Seattle Chapter), took the concept of the Snowrider Project and gave it a true physical presence. By establishing a partnership with the Summit at Snoqualmie, the SP began tabling events during the snow season in order to help show people how they can lessen their impacts on the local watershed.
By remaining consistent and vigilant through the years, the Seattle Chapter's Snowrider Project has become a model for how a Surfrider Chapter can successfully incorporate this "winter arm" of the foundation into another vehicle for environmental activism. End of the season mountain clean-ups have helped get many tons of garbage out of the headwaters of the watershed.
For over nine years now we've been fortunate enough to be able to engage everyone from the very young to the not-so-young to help keep it clean… upstream.
For a copy of the Snowrider Logo, click on the Logo to the right.=====»
In order to find out more about the Seattle Chapter's Snowrider Project, or to learn more about starting up a SP with your local chapter, feel free to contact Mike McCann at snowrider@surfrider.org.
From snow to the oceans and back again
What is the hydrologic cycle?
The idea that all water is connected is the basis for the cycle. Rain and snow
combine to make rivers and streams which flow out to the ocean where it is evaporated back into
the atmosphere to start the whole process over again.
How do mountain watersheds affect our oceans, waves and beaches?
Each spring, winter snowfall that has accumulated in our country's mountains begins to melt and starts its long journey to the sea. As this water travels down alpine creeks and streams, it picks up sediments. The water from these tributaries then merge into larger rivers, which often flow for hundreds of miles before reaching the coast. As water from these rivers empty into the ocean, coastal currents and waves spread sand and other sediments up and down the coast, helping to replenish our beaches. The water from these inland sources also contains nutrients that are crucial to maintain healthy coastal ecosystems such as estuaries, sloughs and marshes.
However the same water that flows down from our mountains also runs through agricultural and urban areas, where it can also pick up biological and toxic contaminates. Pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals used in farming can wreak havoc on downstream ecosystems. Cities and other developed area also take their toll on water quality. Rain washes litter and other debris down storm drains and into our oceans. Rain also washes grease and oils off roads and highways and into our watersheds. Even seemingly harmless things, such as lawn clippings and pet droppings can result in dramatic increases in potentially dangerous bacteria in our coastal waters.
Check out the Portland Chapter's Snowrider Project webpage.
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