Vélez and the hardy folks of contractor RO Rental Equipment completed the job on 9/15/2009. This project, coming to completion with this vegetative reinforcement, was undertaken by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources under the management of engineer Ramona Paris.This ambitious project has repaired and reinforced the river's channel at a point where it makes a sharp turn in the Villa del Rey neighborhood. The path of this river was altered substantially during the 1960's when previously agricultural lands became a residential community. Ever since, the river has fought back by overflowing its bank at this turn and reclaiming some of its space.
Most of the Vetiver plants supplied by Agriflora Tropicals for this project were used to create a double hedge along the top edge of the gabion structure. This 1060 ft (323 meters) edge will be under frequent attack by the rising river water on one side and the heavy flows or rain water from the land side. The Vetiver hedges will anchor this soil and protect the stucture from being undermined from the top.
Beyond the end of the gabion structure, a small Vetiver patch has been planted to evaluate its behavior when battered directly by the river's current. This small 10 ft by 33 ft strip sits at the frontline of the dike's battle with the river flow. Small as it is, it could play an important role defending the front edge of the structure from the force of the water trying to work its way under the structure.
The soil and sun conditions that these plants will face can not get much worse. Regular irrigation and fertilization during the first few months must be provided diligently. Given this, I trust my plants will be up to the task . . . that's what I train them for. :-)
A full set of geotagged pictures can be seen in the Picasa album Vetiver on the Turabo River.
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| Vetiver on Turabo River - Caguas, PR |
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