riparian: adjective. ri·par·i·an \ rə-ˈper-ē-ən, rī- \ Relating to or living or located on the bank of a natural watercourse (such as a river) or sometimes of a lake or a tidewater. (From Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Riparian came to English from the same source that gave us “river” – the Latin riparius, a noun deriving from ripa, meaning “bank” or “shore.” First appearing in English in the 19th century, “riparian” refers to things that exist alongside a river (such as riparian wetlands, habitats, trees, etc.). Some river communities have laws called “riparian rights,” referring to the rights of those owning land along a river to have access to the waterway. Note the distinction of this word from “littoral,” which usually refers to things that occur along the shore of a sea or ocean. (From Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Yes, we call them bayous here in Houston, but our bayous have riparian corridors also.
We can have riparian corridors in our urbanized areas as well. Instead of using concrete inlets, pipes, culverts, and large detention basins to handle our rain water runoff we can use natural drainage systems that look like creeks and bayous. They can bring our riparian areas up into our developed areas and the people down to the water. Many of us can remember playing in the creek as kids. Catching crayfish. Building dams.
In 2011 we had a severe drought. In 2015, 2016, and 2017 we had severe floods, including Harvey. Houston has been talking more about water, wetlands, infrastructure, growth, resilience, sustainability, flooding, drought, water supply, water quality, and related topics now more than ever.
This blog will be part of the conversation. Leave comments, tell me what you think.
Michael F. Bloom, P.E., CFM, ENV SP, BCEE
March 2017, Updated June 2022
PS: If you are interested in enhancing the economic, social, and environmental outcomes of your project please consider contacting me directly at michael dot bloom at 5engineering dot com.
PPS: I am a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Nothing on the website constitutes an offer to perform engineering services in any other state or country.
Thanks,Michael, for reaching to get a rational conversation started. I especially applaud your inviting developers to participate.
As I have said in previous posts, the two Harris County parks chains ,Cypress on north , and Clear Creek,in south, are perfect examples of dual use of thousands of acres of flood plain lands as passive flood control and much needed parks and open space recreation. These parks have functioned as prevention while allowing thousands of residents enjoy Harris Cointy’s most beautiful natural environments.
Certainly, more strategies are necessary to alleviate Harris County’s flooding problem, such as private, conservation easements, and natural channels as you advocate, still utilizing flood plain/flood way, as dual flood control and open space has proven to be a successful cost effective strategy.
Thanks for allowing my comments.
Anna Russo
Michael,
I’m a hydrogeologist who owns a house in the Harvey-flooded area south of Buffalo Bayou between Wilcrest and Beltway 8. Since the storm, I’ve been doing analysis of the extent of flooding using GIS and historical rainfall data dating back to 1898. I’ve obtained some very interesting results that have improved my understanding of the circumstances of the flood and how it ranks with historic ones, including the December 1935 flood and recent floods such as Tax Day and Memorial Day. I’ve been communicating with the Flood Control District folks to try to get some feedback and thoughts on my analysis, but they are both very busy with their current commitments and very restrained in their communications owing to the pending litigation.
I’m contacting you to see if you have any interest in my analysis. It’s wholly focused on the area between Barker Reservoir and Gessner Rd and Buffalo Bayou, but it may be of some value to you.