Part of our ongoing management priority is to improve the long-term stability of our earthen dikes by placing erosion protection -- often in the form of fractured limestone -- on the side slopes. We have highlighted this work in previous posts, but the dogdays of summer are an ideal time to get this heavy lifting accomplished. With Structure 1 and now Structure 2 (installed through the dike below) now operational, there is even more incentive to preserve the integrity of these clay berms so that we can do the kind of work described back in July. One project naturally builds on another.
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| The West Marsh "Center Dike" with a fresh topcoat of erosion protection -- we could not afford to do the entire 3,000 feet in this effort, but as seen above, we made good progress. There was existing stone from when the dike was fully rehabilitated in 2017, but a new surface dressing is simply sound preventative maintenance. |
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This visual not only shows improved stability, it also highlights the robust growth of the desirable
vegetation that was only feasible through a timely drawdown (again, see July 2020's summary). |
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| Large expanses of open water like the north end of the West Marsh (above) are particularly vulnerable to wind and wave action. There is major peace of mind having this stability in place. |
