Is Belize City Sinking? - 09/13/16 11:21 AM
by Hector Silva
This is a question, that many Belize City residents prefer not to be told. - But in fairness to all concerned, it would be negligent of me to take this UNTOLD story to my grave.
This is a serious issue that should have been placed as a priority when those Millions were available.
THIS ARE THE FACTS which are kept in some dusty shelf
In the 1960's, the then Self Government Cabinet under the Leader- ship of Premier Price,supported by an all Belizean Cabinet, requested my Ministry of Public Works, to carry a FULL STUDY of the Topography and Sub-soil of Belize City and its surroundings.
WE made a request to the United Nations for the expert advice on this extensive project. - An Expert Engineer by name, Mr, Decourcy was sent and an office was established at the Ministry's Com- pound. - - Our local engineers Bob Mahler, Dennis Gonguez and other personnel were assigned to complement this important study and a Jamaican Engineering Firm was contracted to do the SUB SOIL BORE TESTS. ( penetrating deep into the bowels of the area), - In some areas up to 70 feet deep, before they reached the rock plate. - Besides the Bore Tests,gauges were placed at various spots within the City Proper.
THE FINDINGS WERE REVIEWED, AND VERIFIED, BY A TEAM OF ENGINEERS before submitting them to Government.
This study took some two years, after which a compilation was made
and submitted to my Ministry.- I then took it to Cabinet before having a round table discussion with the EXPERTS of the EXPERT TEAM.
RESULTS AND RECOMENDATIONS.
(1) - It was found, that Belize City and its surroundings, lay on an OLD RIVER DELTA.- That the area, has over the centuries, been reclaimed ( filled ) with organic matter ( old vegetation ) - Silt from the Belize Old River River, and the city with old logs, - Pipe Shank ( dead coral ). old bottles, garbage and bricks, - By primento sticks used as Corderide and SEA sand brought by high tides and hurri-canes.--
(2) - It was found that the rock bed below, varies between 20 feet and in some areas 70 feet deep. - And that the ground above this ROCK PLATE is mostly made of PEAT. - ( rotten mud )
THE STUDIES ALSO MADE ALARMING COMMENTS AND ADVISES.
For example. -
( a ) - That Belize city is sinking by errossion. -Rainfall washes away the top soil and Dry months blow the dust in large proportions.
(b ) - That heavy vehicles pounding on the floating streets, cause them to sink on the long run.- - -Today, streets that always remained above rain water in the past are now flooded with heavy rainfall.
( c) - That the heavy structures being built in the city causes the area to sink. - despite the piles being driven. - - It was found that many old buildings built on stilts ( meaning wooden buildings ) have experienced lately, that their ground floors are sinking. -
THE STUDY IS LENGTHY, but it is my intention to release this old report for those that have ears to hear, - eyes to read and minds to care.
Sometimes later, I will continue this information, but presently, there are so many BURNING ISSUIS. ( Good night )
This is a question, that many Belize City residents prefer not to be told. - But in fairness to all concerned, it would be negligent of me to take this UNTOLD story to my grave.
This is a serious issue that should have been placed as a priority when those Millions were available.
THIS ARE THE FACTS which are kept in some dusty shelf
In the 1960's, the then Self Government Cabinet under the Leader- ship of Premier Price,supported by an all Belizean Cabinet, requested my Ministry of Public Works, to carry a FULL STUDY of the Topography and Sub-soil of Belize City and its surroundings.
WE made a request to the United Nations for the expert advice on this extensive project. - An Expert Engineer by name, Mr, Decourcy was sent and an office was established at the Ministry's Com- pound. - - Our local engineers Bob Mahler, Dennis Gonguez and other personnel were assigned to complement this important study and a Jamaican Engineering Firm was contracted to do the SUB SOIL BORE TESTS. ( penetrating deep into the bowels of the area), - In some areas up to 70 feet deep, before they reached the rock plate. - Besides the Bore Tests,gauges were placed at various spots within the City Proper.
THE FINDINGS WERE REVIEWED, AND VERIFIED, BY A TEAM OF ENGINEERS before submitting them to Government.
This study took some two years, after which a compilation was made
and submitted to my Ministry.- I then took it to Cabinet before having a round table discussion with the EXPERTS of the EXPERT TEAM.
RESULTS AND RECOMENDATIONS.
(1) - It was found, that Belize City and its surroundings, lay on an OLD RIVER DELTA.- That the area, has over the centuries, been reclaimed ( filled ) with organic matter ( old vegetation ) - Silt from the Belize Old River River, and the city with old logs, - Pipe Shank ( dead coral ). old bottles, garbage and bricks, - By primento sticks used as Corderide and SEA sand brought by high tides and hurri-canes.--
(2) - It was found that the rock bed below, varies between 20 feet and in some areas 70 feet deep. - And that the ground above this ROCK PLATE is mostly made of PEAT. - ( rotten mud )
THE STUDIES ALSO MADE ALARMING COMMENTS AND ADVISES.
For example. -
( a ) - That Belize city is sinking by errossion. -Rainfall washes away the top soil and Dry months blow the dust in large proportions.
(b ) - That heavy vehicles pounding on the floating streets, cause them to sink on the long run.- - -Today, streets that always remained above rain water in the past are now flooded with heavy rainfall.
( c) - That the heavy structures being built in the city causes the area to sink. - despite the piles being driven. - - It was found that many old buildings built on stilts ( meaning wooden buildings ) have experienced lately, that their ground floors are sinking. -
THE STUDY IS LENGTHY, but it is my intention to release this old report for those that have ears to hear, - eyes to read and minds to care.
Sometimes later, I will continue this information, but presently, there are so many BURNING ISSUIS. ( Good night )