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REPORT #324 June 2000
MYSTERIOUS SEDIMENTS PLAGUING THE MACAL RIVER? WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
Produced by the Belize
Development Trust
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by Phyliss Dart
Since the start of the rainy season several weeks ago, and the resulting
higher
stream flow on the Macal River, there has been speculation that the
sediment
that has been plaguing the river and accumulating on the rocks, especially
the
black slate formations, would be washed off and they would return to
their
former beauty once again. But, as the waters receded, the reverse was
true.
Not only did the former sediment NOT wash away, but there is an
additional
layer of white deposit over everything. This is the first time this
condition
has appeared on the river, and it raises concerns that it indicates some
type
of man-made pollution. Of further concern is that this will further
exacerbate
the problems with skin rashes some people have experienced from using
the
river, and impose other health hazards as well. Anyone using the Macal
River
for their water supply should be notified, and their filtration systems
monitored carefully. There is also the concern of what affect this type
of
sediment could have on the reef system.
Several possibilities for the condition which immediately come to mind
are:
- Mollejon Dam flushing the silt ponds or cleaning the reservoir there
- The test drilling and blasting at the Chalillo Dam site, and erosion
from
the road construction
- Mining in the Chiquibul Reserve
....and there could be a number of others. It is hoped the proper
authorities
will assess the situation quickly, and see if it does indeed hold
potential
hazards to area residents, visiting tourists and to our irreplaceable
reef
system.
The two photos attached show clearly the reason for concern. The picture at the bottom is
of
the Black Rock landmark, normally pure black slate with small
white-water
rapids flowing around it. Now it is hard to discern which is water and
which
is sediment-coated slate. The close up shows how completely coated the
rocks
have become. If there is white sediment visible up at Guacamallo Bridge,
then
the problem cannot be from Mollejon. If there is no sediment there, then
it
more than likely is caused by Mollejon.
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