I live in the suburbs. In most areas mankind has modified this environment beyond recognition, despite the best efforts to preserve some natural features. I try to deal with these changes by limiting my queries to single features. Today, culverts.
Most of us have seen culverts, which are usually large pipes that channel streams under highways. Here's is a crappy culvert.
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That is a poor culvert because the stream channel has eroded to a couple of feet below the pipe. How can fish swim upstream, unless they are prepared for a big jump into a pipe?
And that's not the worst type of culvert failing. Sometimes the stream flows undercut the pipe, and water flows through the soils under the pipe, instead of the pipe itself. Sometimes the pipes collapse and nothing gets through. In some cases, the culverts are undersized, and the water shoots through at high speed, and no fish could pass.
Well-engineered culverts can allow passage of water, fish and critters. Bridges, of course, would be better. But bridges cost more money and need maintenance. Culverts need maintenance too, but what local government gives culvert maintenance a priority?
Here's the culverts I watch closely.
I can't tell you why they are even there, constricting Rock Creek. Rock Creek flows under US Highway 26 west of Portland, Oregon. There's nice tall bridges that allow Rock Creek to tumble along under the highway.
But between the bridges, there's these culverts. I think in the past, there was a sewer plant there, that needed water backed up in Rock Creek, to receive its effluent. The plant's gone, but the culverts remain. Sometimes they cause the stormwater flows to backup, and flood one of just two streets into my neighborhood.
I am perusing Rock Creek, from the seeps that give birth to it at the top of the volcanic West Hills, to its discharges into the Tualatin River, through the County sewer plant. There were steelhead in Rock Creek once, why not again? The culverts don't help. These are one of a thousand obstacles in Rock Creek.
Now It's Your Turn What's interesting to you? Please post your own observations and your general location in the comments.
Thank you for reading. I'll work this morning so I'll respond to comments before lunchtime.
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