Who were the morons who absconded with the temporary foot bridge over the breach in the dam on the Beaver Pond Trail in the Beaver Lodge Lands Forest?
Was it a prank by young vandals? If so, shame on you for creating a hazard for the dozens of walkers and bicyclists of all ages who use this trail every day. Or was it some nimrods from Ministry of Forests or City of Campbell River who about eight months after the breach occurred posted signs that there is a hazard, yet now, almost a full year after the breach happened have done absolutely nothing to correct the problem?
READ MORE: Ministry of Forests considering options for Beaver Lodge Lands trail repair
To review, the earth dam that forms the upper beaver pond and provides a pathway across this wet area breached during a heavy rain storm in March/April 2023. This created a gap in the pathway approximately 3 metres wide. However, the riprap (armour rock) on the face of the dam remains in place and allows walkers to transit the gap (albeit at risk of injury). Also, over the months that followed with no official remedial action, walkers and cyclists wore down the banks on either side of the breach to allow safer passage for the many bicyclists, young mothers with strollers, other walkers, and dogs who enjoy this forest area every day. However, this was still quite inconvenient and invited risk, so a month or so ago some very good samaritans built a good, substantial foot bridge in frustration due to the continued in-action of the appropriate authorities (whoever they are) to correct the problem.
The dam failed because there was inadequate impervious material in the construction which allowed water to erode through over time and eventually wash away a portion. The dam is now stable as a result because the pond is now about 30cm. lower and water is flowing easily through the riprap which remains in place at the wash-out.
So, after approximately one year, no official remedial action has taken place. Approximately 8 months after the dam failure, some government body saw fit to spend money and put up warning signs that people enter the area at their own risk (like we didn’t know that). Then approximately 10 months after the dam failure a perfectly safe and adequate temporary bridge was put in place which was immediately condemned by the powers that be and, soon after, removed by someone(s). Meanwhile, the responsible government office(s) do nothing to restore this area and make it safe for the dozens of people who transit this area daily.
The City of Campbell River continues to sell itself as a mecca for people who enjoy nature and spends copious amounts of $$$ putting in bike lanes and foot paths and posting routes for enthusiasts. Yet after a year, a very quick, easy solution to the Beaver Pond Trail has yet to be implemented. For a very few thousand dollars (including materials, labour, and equipment) a temporary (or permanent) bridge of appropriate government standard could be installed and this issue could be resolved in a day or two.
Shame on all government offices (provincial and municipal) who have some responsibility for correcting this issue but continue to do nothing. And shame on whoever removed the perfectly adequate temporary bridge that was installed in frustrated by users of the area and provided a level of convenience and safety that after one year, taxpayers are yet to receive from the bureaucrats who’s (large) salaries we pay.
M.J. (Marv) Everett, Retired
Campbell River