Runoff control vital in canyon

Dale Ghere

If you live above the landslide in Bluebird Canyon, I want to urge

you to stop all water from running off of your property and into the

storm drains. Since June 1 there has been no way for water running

off of your property to pass through the blockage that was created by

the landslide.

Water running off of the upper Bluebird Canyon area is now soaking

into the slide debris that filled the canyon. This water cannot be

seen from the street, but the problems that it is causing are

serious.

Any water that gets into the soil can lead to mold problems in the

houses that are damaged along Bluebird Canyon. All of the excess

water will have to be pumped out of the soil before the grading for a

new storm drain can be completed.

Reducing the amount of water that gets into the bottom of the

slide will save both time and money during the restoration process.

A storm drain needs to be put in place before Oct. 15. The

completion of a storm drain through the slide area will remove the

danger of flooding from winter rains for the houses below the slide.

Owners of these damaged properties need your consistent vigilance to

control your water.

Here are some suggestions that will help solve this problem. Hand

water your yard instead of using automatic sprinklers. Use a portable

timer so you will not forget to turn the water off. Because of last

winter’s heavy rains you can reduce the amount of watering that is

normally done.

Make sure all sprinkler heads direct water to your plants and not

to the street. Sweep hard surfaces; do not use a hose for this

purpose. Don’t drain pool or hot tub water into the street. Use as

little water as possible to wash off things like cars, boats and

wetsuits. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.

* Dale Ghere is a Bluebird Canyon resident and led efforts to

restore the canyon after the 1978 landslide.