BEAUX REFLETS

Streams of light dance in every direction, refracting and reflecting, to illuminate a colourful living planet.

Providing moments to be captured and recorded through the Visual Arts.



Thursday, March 6, 2014

Working With Nature



The whole philosophy behind Coldstream’r is that you cannot leave Flood Prevention to Nature, but you can work with Nature to prevent flooding.

With known capacities for Catchment runoff, Flood meadow, River and drainage channel flow rates, the Somerset Levels can be maintained accordingly and mindfully too allow for the heavy rainfall at certain times of the year.

Patrolling the waterways, the ColdStream’r would constantly be updating upon cross sections and flow rates wherever they roam, highlighting and immediately sweeping away any undesired silt into collection areas, so that silt deposits are not allowed to build up and create unwanted risk at appropriate times throughout the year.

Apart from the advantage in spotting blockages created by fallen trees and debris, by routinely maintaining the cross sections by de-silting on a regular basis, perhaps the biggest advantage will be to the benefit of Wildlife and the overall Environment.

By working seasonally with Nature, stretches of water can be managed to prevent them being over run with specific water plants by controlling germination numbers, sections can be left undisturbed during spawning and hatching periods, and the banks remain virtually undisturbed, with the more drastic hard landscaping measure of the dredge bucket reduced to a minimum in specified areas.


 

Saturday, March 1, 2014

What’s in a name



News of the flooding on the Somerset Levels coinciding with my father’s death brought many thoughts rumbling together. Pa’s tales of his marching beneath the Queen’s bedroom window while on duty patrolling the palace and the Coldstream Guards attending his funeral; Colliding, with warm memories of living, working and walking beside the Parrett and Tone, the floods when we waded in Wellington boots, and now, the devastation because aspects along the rivers remained unattended.

The idea for a patrolling guard ColdStream’r fully kited out for action in a proactive approach to river management was soon down on paper and duly waiting for the next stages of development.

 
Artist impression of above water details