Gezicht op Bowman Dam in North Bloomfield, Californië before 1890

This is an image of ‘Gezicht op Bowman Dam in North Bloomfield, Californië’ by Britton & Rey. It presents us with the Bowman Dam, a structure built in a state shaped by the Gold Rush, a period of mass migration and exploitation. The dam itself speaks to a complicated history. On one hand, it represents the transformation of the West and technological advancement, but on the other hand, the dispossession of Native populations and environmental degradation. Dams like these enabled hydraulic mining, a destructive technique that devastated landscapes and waterways, and fueled conflicts between miners and farmers over water rights. As you consider this image, reflect on the narratives it conceals: the displacement, the environmental toll, and the relentless pursuit of progress at any cost. It serves as a reminder that progress often has unseen and unaccounted consequences, particularly for marginalized communities and the natural world.