water, rocks, & trees

The River Marcelle is about a fifteen minute walk from where I live in Gros Morne. The local people tell me that 50 years ago River Marcelle was a small stream. Today however the river bed has spread out considerably.  During the rainy season houses have even been lost to this river. The erosion and flooding is the direct result of deforestation. I learned of a two prong approach that has been implemented in an effort to stop the erosion. A number of groups have come together in support of a ravine project which slows down the water cascading down the mountain and lessens the severity of the erosion. People are also planting trees.

Recently a group of took a field trip down the river to see the progress that has been made in trying to stop the erosion.  The ravine project is very impressive. Basically, the people follow the path the water has cut in the side of the mountain and build a series of walls across it. The walls stem the flow of the water by allowing it to collect in pools between the walls. Not only is the force of the water lessened, the ground also has more time to absorb the water so less water actually reaches the river bed. They say the sediment in the little pools is very good for the garden.

The ravine we visited was half a mile long. Near the river the stone walls were about nine feet apart.  In places where the incline is steeper the walls were placed closer together. The rocks used to construct the walls were taken from the river bed. I understand that when the walls were being constructed there was a human chain, passing rocks up the hill. Once the rocks were on the hill side twenty people were assigned to construct each wall. At the height of construction 1000 people were involved in the project. The people involved were primarily people from the neighboring villages and they were paid with food. The very same people continue to look after and maintain the walls. The ravine project is an engineering wonder, constructed from readily available material, with a lot of sweat equity.

Slowing down the water is only half of the equation. Trees are needed to help hold the soil in place. There are a couple tree nurseries in the area that have been set up to supply trees to be planted along the ravines and throughout the area.  At the tree nursery we saw seedlings for a variety of trees including: mango, avocado, and lime. As they mature the fruit form the trees is also good source of food for the people. Last year about 25,000 trees were planted in this area. The goal is to plant 80,000 a year. When I spoke with the local agronomist at the tree nursery I was reminded of Johnny Appleseed, the legendary apple seed sower I sang of as a child growing up in Ohio. May Guy Marie’s efforts be as long lasting and far reaching as those of John Chapman.