There It Is—Take It! is a self-guided car audio tour along U.S. Route 395 through Owens Valley, California, examining the controversial social, political and environmental history of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system. The tour illuminates various impacts this divisive water conveyance infrastructure has created within the Owens Valley over the last 100 years of the aqueduct’s existence. Stories of the aqueduct are told from multiple perspectives and viewpoints through the voices of historians, biologists, activists, native speakers, environmentalists, litigators, LADWP employees and residents from both Los Angeles and the Owens Valley.

Designed as a free, 90-minute long downloadable audio program, There It Is—Take It! seeks to shed light on the mutual past, present, and possible future of Los Angeles and Owens Valley—centered around its complicated and intertwined water history. The project illuminates the historic source of drinking water for the City of Los Angeles while simultaneously revealing the complex relationship of these two regions through an innovative aural program incorporating interviews, field recordings, music, and archival audio that educates the listener while experiencing scenic Owens Valley landscape firsthand along U.S. Route 395.

Listen to the audio tour online or download the map along with the entire program to listen while driving along U.S. Route 395.



This letter below was sent to Harry Williams from a former Urban High School student.