Hmmm .... yes ... and why rebuild a city that's below sea level in
hurricane country? I think in the midwest some smaller towns have been
moved upslope and out of the annual flood plain, encouraged by the
government's refusal to underwrite flood insurance for their former
riverside location. However, in Saint Louis the flood wall reaches a
maximum height of 52 feet (16 m). Of course, if we gave the river a
little more room, the walls would not have to be so high or a flood,
like you experienced in Vermont, would be less likely to cause road
damage. Generally, though, we are somewhat short-sighted and like to
build where we like, and don't like rules that are unpopular.
Tom (from earthquake country)
--
Tom Schweich KJ6BIT [email protected]
http://www.schweich.com
http://twitter.com/schweich
On 9/6/2011 6:50 AM, Kelly Stettner wrote:
In light of the intense and ongoing flooding and erosion in many parts of Vermont, it's become
clearer than ever to me that rivers need to be respected. I don't mean revered and worshipped...I
mean that humans need to pay attention to the bigger flood-plain picture and develop accordingly.
Seems to me that all the talk going around now is to "put the river back where it
belongs." I wonder if this is, with all intentional punny-ness, a watershed moment? Why not
attempt to recognize and accomodate what is obviously the "territory" of our streams and
rivers? I'm not recommending that we demolish all dams and hope for the best. I'm thinking
specifically of those roads and bridges and culverts which are quite obviously not up to the task
of surviving high water. A road in my area that was built to follow the sinuous curves of the Black
River was washed out in a number of spots, as the river swelled to its hundred-year-flood
parameters and then
some...why rebuild that road in the same place? Isnt' that just doing more of the same
and expecting different results? Why waste tax-payer money, why risk the loss of more
lives and property by "putting the river back where it belongs"? I realize
there are some big challenges, such as obtaining permission to install a new road; but
wouldn't it be wiser to go that route rather than trying to rebuild and reconstruct
within the flood plain?
I'm all for input and feedback! Thank you all for your thoughts and attention.
Kelly Stettner, Director
http://www.BlackRiverActionTeam.org
--
Tom Schweich KJ6BIT [email protected]
http://www.schweich.com
http://twitter.com/schweich
