Unprotected River Banks

Today’s walk with the dogs upstream of the Omaka Airfield ford was enlightening. Now the river is dropping to back to normal flows for this time of the year the damage from the recent storm is glaringly apparent. Over the river from my viewpoint is a wide grassy area adjacent to some of the Meadowbank Station vineyards. The track winds through the grassy area and meanders upstream beside the river. In the particular section of track in this image there has been no planting of willows and poplars for bank stabilisation. And it shows. The raging river has attacked that area of river bank and eroded its way well into the wide grassy swathe. It is no longer wide at this point. You can easily see where the bank has fallen away due to the high water flow during the storm.
Some people do not like to see willows and similar trees planted alongside our rivers. They should take a walk with me and the dogs and I will show them the value of these plantings.
I was delighted to find that yesterday’s image of the pink flowers from the flowering gum was elevated to the Spotlight. Thank you to everyone who favourited my image and helped it to the Spotlight. I am chuffed! Arohanui.