November 10, 2006
Heavy Rains, Urban Development Batter Byrne Creek
Byrne Creek has been suffering as torrential waters barrel through it during the recent heavy rains that have hit the lower mainland of BC. The ravages are human caused -- if the watershed were still in its natural pre-settlement state, the creek would be in fine shape. Say what?
Yes, development is pouring the massive amounts of water into the creek -- the deluge comes from roads, parking lots, and buildings that drain directly into the creek. All those roads, all those parking lots, all that pavement, all those roofs mean that rain pours directly into the creek through the rain-drain (storm drain) system instead of being absorbed into the ground.
We can't turn back time, we can't "un-develop" urban areas, but why can't we protect what few teeny pocket forests we have left? Why not redevelop aging one- and two-story buildings into towers instead of clearcutting pockets of urban biodiversity?
Burnaby has done a decent job of protecting urban biodiversity, but it could be doing so much more.
Heavy rain turns what is normally a few inches of water into a torrent that scours the creek.
Massive flow is causing erosion and ripping a new, less diverse channel through the creek.