UPDATE: Post updated with new information from neighbors monitoring the situation.

I received a disturbing phone call yesterday.

For those who are regular readers, as you know, the residents on Pandarama Road have long complained about the problems with drainage and deteriorating condition of the bridges on that particular road. Having seen firsthand the effects of irresponsible development in their area, these residents are some of the strongest supporters for the preservation of open space and have successfully delayed the development of the Cotswald project, which would ave changed the landscape of their area.

That brings us to yesterday...

After complaints and bringing attention the condition of their road, the city of Danbury set forward with a plan to address the issue with the bridges and drainage. Unfortunately, to the shock and dismay of everyone, it seems like the city went one step too far that could have a devastating impact on the neighborhood.

Neighbors are now up in arms with the city's move to re-direct Capatola Brook (also known as Marjorie Brook). The absolutely radical change in the landscape ripped up the section of land, designated as wetland, and resulted in what was once a wide brook being shrunk to what can be best described as a five foot trench. In the opinion of residents upset over the change in landscape, this new feature to the brook will be inadequate to deal with the waterflow in that area and will result in a great deal of soil erosion and further tree loss.

To give you an idea of what's going on here, take a look at the images below (click on any image to enlarge).

Area on the right was where the Capatola Brook originally flowed.



Original width of Capatola Brook (aprox 15 feet).



Re-directing of Capatola Brook (width now 5 feet).



Since the ones who can best explain the danger in what the city did are the neighbors who live in the area, here's a video report that outlines their list of complaints.



It's really important to note that this area is well-known for flooding and with the latest tropical storm coming to the area in the next 12 hours (which will be with us until late Saturday), the next day is critical in terms of getting this horrible situation corrected before there is a serious flooding and soil erosion problem along that stretch of Pandarama Road.

After voicing their outrage, the city is currently on the scene accessing the scene and we'll keep you updated on the situation.

09.27.08: The nightmare continues. Here's an update on the situation from an outraged neighbor who's keeping an eye on what's happening.

The city has added siltation fence to the other side of the stream. They have additionally added loads more traprock (ugly and NOT natural to the locality) along the trench bed and up the sides to slow down erosion. They did not widen the trench to a reasonable width but instead choose to go with their original size. However, they did attempt to minimize the potential for erosion.

Most of the expected torrential rainfall hit the rest of the state and Danbury was spared the worst of it. The trench was able to handle what did come. However, the rain flow did almost max out the trench, as the water during the height of the storm was 1 foot from the top.

A number of ponds and depressions have formed in the bulldozed area due to the loose quality of the new soil in the old stream bed. Mosquitos will likely be an issue come Spring of next year due to the stagnant water that will accumulate in those depressions.

The neighbors and I will be watching this as the season progresses. Winter provides a different set of challanges as the percolation rate of the surrounding soil changes and more water will run off to the stream due to soil freezing.

I am still concerned for my homes safety and am saddened by the loss of what was a lovely ,diverse and functioning wetland and watercourse. It is now simply a trench and a poorly constructed storm management nightmare.

More updates to come...