When you're constrained by only having access to a bit of downstream area
along a creek, how can you expect to make any meaningful restoration to a
stream channel? Yeah, you might be able to stabilize the banks a little, but
only if you can get stuff growing between storm events. Even if you do,
what's the point of having perfectly Rosgen-balanced channels when your
water chemistry is totally screwed up? How do you fix water chemistry when
50% of your upstream watershed is impervious surfaces - shopping malls,
highways, and asphalt parking lots? Seven species is a lot when you consider
this stream probably gets a 20 degree temp shock with every midsummer storm
event. We managed to do a fun little show for a couple of school groups who
happened to be touring the grounds, but I'm just depressed and a little
angry. The contrast between the really nice nature center and the crappy
stream was just too stark. Systems like this aren't going to get fixed on a
timescale that's reasonable to any of us, and certainly not on the
mythological EPA "swimmable waters" timescale.
Sorry to be so down. One thing's for sure - playing in that cesspool today
will certainly make me appreciate the crystal streams of the 'Zarks next
month that much more...
cheers,
Dave
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