Aqueduct Futures

6/2018 update – Visualizing Water Infrastructure with Sankey Maps: a Case Study of Mapping the Los Angeles Aqueduct, California, in Journal of Maps has been published! You can read the full article (it’s open-access) at DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2018.1473815. The article dives deep into the theory and practices behind the signature Sankey map from the Aqueduct Futures exhibit.

2017 update – work continues on the /Futures side of the project with the presentation of Recharge City at the 2017 California Water Reuse Conference. Barry’s presentation (with his notes) can be downloaded here: C3-Lehrman_RechargeLA_WaterReuse2017_v3 web.pdf [5.6mb pdf]

Aiming to inspire civic imagination about the future of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and Owens Valley, the Aqueduct Futures [AF] project is mapping the hidden impacts of the Aqueduct to create a framework for lasting peace between Los Angeles and Owens Valley. 157 Cal Poly Pomona students (and counting), together with the Owens Valley and Mono County communities have contributed ideas to the project.

Casting a fresh look on the emergence of urban Los Angeles catalyzed by the massive transfusion of water via the Aqueduct, we aim to uncover the connections between water, energy, ecology, economics, and culture in California.

Our maps and drawings can be explored in /Past, /Present, & /Futures. AF publications, graduate student research, a land-use planning tool for Owens Valley, an Educators Guide and more can be found at /Resources. Our blog features students’ projects and how the helped create the exhibit.

Work from the Aqueduct Futures project was featured in After the Aqueduct, (curated by Kim Stringfellow) was on display at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions between March 4 – April 12, 2015. Exhibit details are in the AtA gallery guide. Casting a fresh look on the emergence of urban Los Angeles catalyzed by the massive transfusion of water via the Aqueduct, this group show (curated by Kim Stringfellow) provides a unique view into the connections between water, energy, ecology, economics, and culture in California as interpreted by landscape architects, artists, and photographers. (Here’s info about our 2013 exhibit at LA City Hall).

Support for the Aqueduct Futures Project provided by Metabolic Studio, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and Los Angeles Council District 4.

If you have ideas about the future of the Owens Valley or LA Aqueduct, comments about the exhibit, wish to schedule an appearance by Prof. Lehrman, or would like to purchase fine art archival prints of the Aqueduct Futures maps – please use secure contact form below or email blehrman@cpp.edu