Blog #8 Rocky Branch Creek
and Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance. In preparation for our field trip on Monday 9/24,
lead by Sustainable Midland’s Ryan Nevius and Professor Alan James of the USC
Geography Department- review the following websites and presentations and
respond to the prompts below. We are looking forward to this trip and are
excited about the opportunity to learn more and become involved!
BLOG #8
Explain the hazards and risks of having over 50% of Rocky Branch Watershed covered by impervious material. What geographical areas near campus does Rocky Branch Watershed impact? Describe the development concerns that the Alliance has with the sale of the baseball field.
Review the “PREZI” presentation and the Video : http://www.sustainablemidlands.org/?page_id=3247
Explain the mission and goals of the Rocky Branch Watershed
Alliance. Explain why local business owners are concerned about Rocky Branch
Creek. Discuss the public health risks associated with mismanagement of Rocky
Branch Creek.
The hazards and risks associated with impervious material covering over half of the Rocky Branch Watershed have to do with flooding. Materials such as asphalt have no capacity to soak up runoff. Because of this, an excess amount of runoff reaches the stream causing it to flood more often. If the natural soil and plants were in place instead of the impervious material, the soil and plants would be able to soak up this runoff and considerably decrease flooding. The geographical areas that are included in the Rocky Branch watershed are Five Points, along with a large percentage of the USC campus. These areas have all received damage due to flooding from the creek. The concerns that the Alliance has with the sale of the baseball field is that runoff amounts will increase. If the field is filled with parking lot, flooding rates will significantly increase in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe mission of the RBWA is to fix the flooding problem that occurs within the Rocky Branch Watershed. They also plan to stop the sale of the baseball field, which would dramatically increase flooding and hurt the community in this area. Local business owners are concerned about the creek because of the risks the flooding poses to their businesses. It causes businesses to lose thousands of dollars just to repair from flood damage. It also causes them loads of extra inconveniences. Additionally, there are health risks associated with the floods. Bacteria and pollutants can collect in the pools associated with flooding. When people have to wade through these pools to get to certain locations, they are exposed to all of the harmful substances. The large volume amounts of the water gives people no option but to cross the water. These factors lead to the spread of disease and harmful substances. If the Rocky Branch Creek watershed’s flooding problem is not resolved, many negative impacts will be felt throughout the entire community.
ReplyDeleteThe Rocky Branch Watershed is crucial to decreasing the negative effects of flooding. Hazards and risks of having over 50% of Rocky Branch Watershed covered by impervious material includes flooding in Olympia Park, the downtown area, Assembly street, Five Points, and the USC Engineering complex near Whaley and Main street. Other hazards include backwater upstream, the decrease in water quality, as well as the decrease of aquatic habitats quality. Selling the old baseball stadium raised developmental concerns for many Columbia citizens. They were mainly worried about increasing the chances of flooding as well as reducing the quality of the water. In response to these concerns, hydrolic and hydraulic studies were conducted. They found that the new parking lot where the old baseball field was located will not raise chances of flooding under the current conditions.
The Mission and goals of the Rocky Branch Watershed include improving the water quality, encourage environmentally responsible development methods, find cost effective solutions to the flooding problem, and reduce the risk of public health. Local businesses are especially concerned because of the damages flooding causes, which are expensive to repair, and these local business owners must pay for damages with money out of their own pockets. Flooding also increases public health risks because the water is full of pollution and bacteria. For all of these reasons, we must find a solution for the flooding.
One of the presentations mentioned revitalizing the area into a green-scaped urban type riverwalk similar to a situation in Charlotte. I wonder how far the Alliance has gotten with researching the viability of this option
DeleteHere is also my open blog:
ReplyDeleteLocally grown and conventionally grown food have been in combat since the beginning of the 20th century. Many would argue that conventionally grown food is “better” because it is cheaper, produced in bulk, and there is a never-ending supply. But what are the real trade-offs of this “always-on-hand” food at the grocery store just a few miles away? What are we really paying for? In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara uproots her family from Arizona to live an entire year in Virginia, surviving solely on foods that they themselves are able to produce or on foods grown or made locally. Barbara points out the benefits of locally grown food as well as the American attitude towards such a self-sustainable lifestyle, thus discussing the American culture. We are accustomed to the idea of the utopia of food. For us, there is never a shortage or bananas, oranges, lettuce, kiwis, mangos or anything you can think of because of the global economy. We import goods from halfway across the world, which is considered “normal”. Michael Pollan points out that “much of our food system depends on our not knowing much about it, beyond the price disclosed by the checkout scanner”; he argues that consumer ignorance leads to consumer carelessness, for “the more knowledge people have about the way their food is produced, the more likely it is that their values… will inform their purchasing decisions”. Individuals should buy organic foods grown locally as it is more environmentally friendly and has greater health benefits, compared to foods grown conventionally by large, multi-national corporations.
Unfortunately most customers’ “highest food-shopping priority is the lowest price” (Kingsolver 115). It is evident that healthier, organically and locally grown food is more expensive, but, as farmer Joel Salatin says, “you get what you pay for” (Pollan), that being better quality. Yes, eating locally is limiting in the sense that one cannot buy bananas or mangos whenever one feels the urge, but while those particular foods are unavailable, “something else good is at hand” (Kingsolver 65). Just because we have “grown accustomed to the botanically outrageous condition of having everything, always” (Kingsolver 65), does not mean that eating locally is a “deprivation”. The main thing that needs to shift is the attitude Americans have towards eating locally, for “it’s actually possible to wait, celebrating each season when it comes, not fretting about its being absent at all other times” (Kingsolver 65). It is unnatural for the human body to be sustained on fast food, genetically modified foods, and chemical-soaked foods, yet because it is cheaper and more profitable, we do it anyways. Our nation “now runs on empty calories” (Kingsolver 126), because the American people, as a whole, value convenience, efficiency, and low prices more than they value their own health. Yes, buying locally means buying seasonably, but the lack of a certain vegetable means the abundance of another, meaning there is more appreciation and thought given to what that vegetable actually provides. The land, not chemicals, can give what the body needs. Local, organic farming is self-sustainability in the simplest of ways. It is healthier, better for the environment and above all else, it is the natural way in which human beings should live.
Hi Laura- I am going to copy/paste this to the Open blog sections. Thanks!
DeleteAutumn
I forgot to mention that i LOVED this book. Barbara Kingsolver's sister, Ann Kingsolver, used to be on staff here at USC in the Anthropology Dept. She was a menotr of mine in my undergrad years :)
DeleteAutumn
The large amount of the Rocky Branch Watershed that is covered by impervious material makes flooding of the areas around it frequent. Stormwater and high amounts of rainfall in the area cause flooding because the areas around RBW do not allow water infiltration. Major areas with frequent flooding include Five Points, The USC Engineering Complex and nearby parts of Assembly Street. This inability of the material near the watershed to absorb the mass amounts of water that accumulate in the area can cause problems in water quality. The sale of the baseball field is a concern for the Alliance because the changes proposed for the land it is on could cause a long-term effect of raising flood stages. Because the Bluff Road railroad embankment blocks major flows, flooding in the area of the proposed parking lot would not be an immediate problem. However, if the Bluff Road culvert is removed, 100-year flood stages will be increased by about as much as 0.20 feet above the levels it would normally reach.
ReplyDeleteThe Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance was created to try and reduce, but ultimately eradicate flood damage. Its concerns are those that pertain to public health and the safety and welfare of citizens in these areas of frequent flooding. Major goals of the RBWA are to improve water quality and to encourage environmentally responsible development of the land around the watershed, as well as a solution to the flooding problem that doesn’t break the bank. Local business owners have concerns that are mainly brought about by the flooding of their shops. The flooding often impacts businesses in Five Points, as water pressure results in broken windows and doors and water damage leads to extra costs. One major issue they wish to address has to do with the recent road restructuring. Although this construction lessened the damage on the shops in the areas that flooded before, it increased the flooding in different areas. Buildings that had never experienced floods before the construction were soon suffering major damages. Damages to public infrastructure increase taxes, which affects the whole local community. As far as public health concerns go, the major issue is that with the pollution and bacteria contained in flood waters. This pollution makes it unsafe for any type of wading, and much of it ends up in the Congaree River.
I wonder what the impact has beenon different types of home/business insurance because of these diasterous floods.
DeleteImpervious surfaces are materials such as asphalt that cannot absorb rainwater. When these surfaces cover 10% of an area, notable changes in aquatic habitats and water quality can be recorded. Columbia's urban watershed however has as much as 50% coverage and counting as pavement and buildings continue to be unsustainably built. The watershed affects Five Points, much of the Congaree River, and a large part of Assembly Street which is uncomfortably close to USC campus. The alliance knows for certain that the sale of the baseball field will further these adverse effects and lead to further runoff. Runoff carries chemicals, litter, and other harmful materials with it which then affects into fragile ecosystems and water cycles. The RBWA works to lessen flood damage and the ensuing effects on public health, safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. In other words, it attempts to address the issue synthetically in order to approach it from a big picture stand point while still being financially responsible. Small business owners bear all too much of the burden when the flooding ensues because they have to pay for the damage. Merchandise and infrastructure are often the victims of the flooding which inevitable downsizes profits. The flood waters are also laced with harmful bacteria and chemicals which makes just walking outside a threat to public health. Not to mention the financial strains. Damaged infrastructure raises public taxes, then we must add in damage to personal property and cars. I affects all of us thus urges immediate action.
ReplyDeleteThe areas that the watershed includes are Five Points and much of the USC campus to the Congaree River in Columbia, SC. Because there is less than 50% of RBW covered in pervious materials the infiltration rates are very low, storm water generation is rapid and a high percentage of rainfall, floods are frequent, and water quality and aquatic habitat are seriously impaired. These floods have been devastating to local areas and have cost a lot in property damage. The alliance had many concerns concerning the baseball field sale. A group of locals united and postponed the sale of the lot until they were able to run hydrologic and hydraulic studies. They discovered that the removal of the railroad culvert would cash downstream flooding and damage to new areas. The builders have plans to introduce a parking lot and shopping center which would displace a lot of the flood water, spreading it to other areas to cause damage there as well. Most of all, the uprising of the citizens opened the communities eyes to the effects of new actions.
ReplyDeleteThe mission of the Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance The Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance is a grass roots movement that unites concerned residents, businesses, governments and organizations to restore water quality, properly manage flooding and care for related natural resources within the Rocky Branch Watershed, while encouraging complementary and environmentally responsible development of adjacent land. Local business owners are concerned because the floods are causing massive amounts of damage that are both financially and physically draining. The mismanagement of the RBC has profound effects on the community citizens. When the streets flood, many cars are damaged which is a financial hardship. The water is full of pollution and bacteria and wading through this water is a health hazard. The floods damage the roads and bridges which in the long run cost citizens more in tax dollars. The alliance is asking that you step up and let the local government know how you feel about the sale and its effects.
Having over 50% of the Rocky Branch Watershed covered by impervious material causes frequent flooding around the watershed and USC Campus. The watershed drains water from Five Points and most of the USC campus, but there is often flooding and damage in Five Points and the USC Engineering building when there are large amounts of precipitation. The Associations was worried that the sale of the baseball field would allow developers to build new impermeable infrastructure that could increase the effects of flooding. The city was not allowed to sell this land until more studies were done; however, the land has been sold to a developer who plans to build a parking lot. The mission of the Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance is to unify the community over various issues which arise in and around the watershed. These issues include: water quality, flooding and environmentally friendly development of the surrounding land. The goal of the Alliance is to cost-effectively solve the problems with flooding, water quality, the Conagree river and restore natural habitats while creating a "greenway from Five Points to the Granby Riverwalk." The Rocky Branch Creek floods when water levels are high which causes great damage to businesses along with loss of sales when their businesses are unaccessible. I was shocked by the photos of knee-high sewage water in areas all throughout campus and 5 Points. The dirty water is a health risk to the community and expensive to those whose cars, businesses and homes are damaged.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge problem with flooding in the downtown Columbia area. This is caused my impervious materials that do not allow the rain water to soak through. This rain water instead runs through ditches, storm sewers and channels. Areas affected by this are Five Points, The USC engineering complex, and areas on Assembly Street. People became scared when the old baseball stadium went up for sale. They were scared that it would lead into more flooding. The land was sold, and developers plan to build a parking lot. They say they will try to reduce the amount of flooding on the land.
ReplyDeleteThe mission of the Rocky Branch Watershed are: eliminate flood damage, risks to the health of the public, improve water quality, and care for the natural resources in and around the area of the Rocky Branch Creek. Their goal? To find a solution to the flooding problem that is affordable. Local business owners want to fix the flooding problems associated with the Rocky Branch Creek because there businesses are at risk. They lose work time, and business whenever they have to close to take care of the flooding issues that affected there stores. Not only do the business owners have to close their stores, but they also have to pay for the damage that was one. All citizens have to pay for the problems that the flood caused to their cars and homes, and other personal belongings. Some public health risks are if people wade through the flooded waters. The water is full of bacterias and pollution. There are chemicals, oils and pollution that are filling the Rocky Branch Creek as well.
The Rocky Branch Watershed takes up most of USC’s campus as well as Five Points. Impervious materials cover at least 50% of the watershed, which then leads to daily flooding. Asphalt is one of the leading causes in which rain does not get absorbed into and ends up running off in a vast amount causing these floods to occur more often. Places such as Olympia Park and downtown are only a few areas that the watershed impacts through flooding. The five points area has had a history for flooding, mainly because of storm water runoff. AMEC did studies to prove that by turning the baseball field into a parking lot will not cause higher flooding.
ReplyDeleteThe main focus of the RBWA is flooding. They need volunteers form around the community so everyone can try to become involved. The sale of the baseball field is another goal that they want to accomplish, by disrupting the sale at all costs. Local business have to pay steep repair fees from flooding damage which is another concern that is trying to be fixed. When public health gets mentioned because of the flooding only one thing comes to mind that’s is bacteria, this is stressed due to the ongoing illnesses being caused to local citizens in the community. There are many more reasons behind why these daily floods need to be put to an end, not only is it affecting our community, jobs, and health, but it mainly affects what could be a horrible outcome for our very own future.
The issues coming from the design of the Rocky Branch Creek Watershed is mainly the flooding that occurs when there is a lot of rain along with the storm water. Due to the impervious material, the water from all of the flooding cannot be absorbed properly thus hindering the water quality and the surrounding habitats. The Rocky Branch Watershed drains from the USC campus in general along with the Five Points Area. Five Points along with the USC Engineering buildings and Assembly Street are among the most affected. This is near the Learning Center for Sustainable Futures and West Quad where many of us reside, which should make us all the more concerned. The alliance is well aware of the dangers of selling the baseball field and surrounding areas. This concept would open the field to the possibility of more impervious surfaces being built instead of a solution to control the flooding in a safer, more Eco-friendly manner.
ReplyDeleteConcerned residents, business owners, organizations, etc. have united to form the Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance to properly manage this flooding along with come up with an environmentally responsible use for the land with cost in mind. Along with this, they have a goal to restore habitats to the wildlife that has been harmed with all of the run off. The concerns of the businesses come when the flooding damages their shops putting a huge damper on profits as well as expensive repairs. Another inconvenience is the bacteria that is in the flood water people are forced to wade through if they have to be somewhere regardless of the conditions. This is a major health concern and can aid in the spread of the bacteria, disease, etc. It a lot of times ends up in the Congaree River, only causing more issues for the future.
We should ask our speakers about the possile issues it has on water quality of the Congareee and wilflife there.
DeleteThe 50% coverage of impervious material leads to little to no filtration of storm water which in turn leads to a high frequency of floods and can also be the cause of poor water quality in the wetlands of Columbia. Many areas near the USC campus are effected by Rocky Branch Creek. Significant damages have been recorded in Five Points, on Whaley and Main Street, and even on Assembly, all of which are either near or running directly through campus. The RBWA had plans to keep the field from being turned into a parking lot in hopes of finding a solution to the constant flooding taking place in Columbia.
ReplyDeleteThe Rocky Branch Water such is aiming to find ecological solutions to the flood problems in Columbia and find a way to improve the quality of the water running through the ecosystems in the surrounding area. There are many public health risks that come along with the flooding of the areas around campus. The low filtration rates leads to the water being filled with bacterias and waste materials that could easily be harmful not only to humans but also to the animals who may be drinking and even swimming in the water.
The results of the Rocky Branch Creek Watershed being covered by impermeable resources upstream can be itemized as such: The infiltration rates are very low in urban watersheds, this results in excess storm water being created thus causing flooding. Not to mention the consequences of the aquatic habitats and compromising the water quality. The geographical locations most affected from the runoff of the watershed would be parts of Assembly Street the Five points area, the engineering building here on campus, The Lofts apartments on Main Street (I live here, it gets bad). The main concern of the Alliance is that building one more impervious infrastructure on or around the watershed is only going to prolong finding a solution to the recurring issue of flooding. Although the parking lot will not increase flooding it could still postpone studies. The Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance really wants to unite concerned residents, businesses etc., in improving the quality of life for those affected by the watershed as well as improving the creek itself. Another goal RBWA has on their agenda is to relieve the flooding problem in the Lower downtown region of Columbia. By building the baseball field there will be other areas that are still affected by flooding, and this can be a very serious health risk. The runoff water contains pollutants and when wildlife and humans are exposed to the water the possibility for disease and other health problems rises. This is one reason local businesses are concerned, and the other would be property damage. Local businesses affected by the flooding incur hefty repair bills which is a major problem for the local economy.
ReplyDeleteFrom Caroline G:
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Columbia I have always heard horror stories of flooding in downtown Columbia. Earlier this year I was babysitting my cousins who live in the neighbor right off campus. We decided to go to five points for a fro yo trip. While we were there it started to poor rain and the building we were in flooded. The building had to close down early as well as multiple places around it. This is harmful to their business because they simply can't stay open. Parts of Assembly street and the University Campus are also affected by this flooding. I never knew that it was because of the Rocky Branch Creek. Because the Rocky Branch Creek is covered with impermeable resources it is unable to properly absorb the water and flooding is a direct result.
The concern with the baseball field being sold is directly related to the plan to put a walmart there. Not only are local citizens upset by this (I grew up going to the bombers/blowfish games!), but many see an issue with having a parking lot covering this area. A parking lot will only increase the chance of flooding. The AMEC has been able to prove this. However, the sale was said to be completed at the end of this past summer. The Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance is dedicated to fixing the water source. They are focusing on fixing the flooding as well as the pollution that is currently overtaking the Rocky Branch Creek. This pollution is a health hazard for the community as it contains multiple unsafe bacteria.
There are hazardous risks of having watersheds covered by impervious materials, and studies have shown that when the percentage of impervious surfaces exceeds 10%, there are measurable reductions in water quality and the viability of surrounds aquatic habitats. John Wooten of USC found that nearly 50% of the surface area of the Rocky Branch Watershed was covered by impervious materials (roads, building, and parking lots).
ReplyDeleteNot only does RBW affect flooding on and around the USC Campus, but it also extends to the City of Columbia and throughout Richland County.
The Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance is concerned that the sale of the baseball stadium lands, which is planned to be converted into a space mostly comprising of a parking lot, will increase 100-year flood stages as much as 0.20 ft above the levels they would reach if the Bluff road culvert is removed. On the diagram shown in the Prezi, this meant a greater area of land becoming flooded in the 100 year model.
The mission of the Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance is mainly to research and design a cost-effective plan to reduce the amount of flooding in the basin.
Local businesses owners, such as a barber shop owner in 5 Points, are increasingly concerned that the flooding has become worse, and consequently causes them a great deal of time and funds to repair the damage done by extensive flooding. One business owner noted that the flooding seemed to have gotten worse after the City of Columbia re-did the parking spaces, and he demanded to know what exactly they might have done to make the situation worse.
One obvious public health risk is that the water that people must wade in to get to their home, car, etc is filled with bacteria and pollution and is a risk to one’s health just by walking in it. More subtle health risks include and increase in taxes in order to repair infrastructures damaged by flooding, such as bridges and roads.
Rocky Branch Creek, good place to go when if floods, to swim. Well no, ive seen cops writing tickets to students who have decided to jump in, what a tragedy. On a serious note, RBC has server flooding and news to me; filtration issues. I didnt think that water quality is such a big concern. Is RBC used at all for drinking water?? Well i think that that filitration is to insure that theres no polution done to the environmental. But the flooding problem are very bad, ive seen flooding so bad that cars had to turn around. Well one big issue with the RBC is that the living organisms are cant expand, well are getting diminished because there are so many areas of the creek that go through pipes, under ground through concrete, that the orginisms can not move or flourish naturally. and nature is such a huge part of the south carolina culture. To add to all these problems there is talk of a parking lot being added to the creeks path. which would increase flooding and follow of the creek. Not to mention the polution from all the car drippings in the parking lot that wash aways with rain directly into the creek.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the RBC is covered in less than 50% pervious materials, could be dangerous for all of us. When is rains, the land is unable to absorb the water which causes maassive flash floods.In my 3 years at USC, I have seen this cause catostrophic property damge, whether is be cars underwater, or businesses destroyed.I know that the owners of these locals businesses fear rain in thr RBC because i have seen many of them forced to replace furniture, walling, and flooring due to uncontrolable flooding.This area of the RBC covers USC campus, 5 points, and a large majority of Richland country where we all live, work and study. So it does affect us too! Our community as well as the ecosystems around us are contantly being harmed. Because there is so little pervious land, ecosystems are denied the opportunity to expand and sustain the organisms which dwell in them.There are also health risks involved with this flooding. As watr from other ecosystems floods into our streets and community, it exposes harmful substances and pollutants which can make is very sick! This is one of the things that that RBC alliance is trying to avoid as thy object to the building of more and more impervious land. The concern over the purchase of the baseball field is that they fear that the field will be turned into another parking lot. This will add even more impervious land and affect our community farther.
ReplyDeleteThere are many hazards associated with having over 50% of the Rocky Branch watershed covered with impervious materials. The biggest hazard of course is the increased risk of flooding. The risk of flooding is increased with impervious materials because the water cannot soak into the ground or go anywhere else but up and into the streets. This flooding creates many other hazards and headaches for local residents and business owners as water floods parking lots, stores, and local roads to dangerous levels. Examples of this hazard and its effects throughout five points and the surrounding areas were clearly visible in the Sustainable Midlands Prezi presentation. Areas of the USC campus which are impacted by flooding from the Rocky Branch Creek include Wheat Street near the Blatt P.E. Center, the engineering complex, and other campus buildings and roads in the surrounding area. The alliance is concerned about the development of the baseball field because a new shopping center and development would likely only add to the flooding and environmental concerns associated with the Rocky Branch Creek. The goals of the Rocky Branch Creek Alliance are to reduce flooding, protect natural resources, and preserve the Rocky Branch Creek watershed as a whole. Local business owners are concerned about the creek because severe flooding has caused great damage to businesses and property around the creek in the past; the costs associated with repairing flood damage are very high and business owners would really like to avoid future damage. Some of the health risks associated with the creek and flooding are that floods carry bacteria and pollution across the landscape, thus causing further damage than what can be seen on the surface. The Rocky Branch Creek appears to be severely mismanaged.
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