“Pattern literacy and generation are the keys to understand-

ing whole systems and to generating whole systems, lives, and

communities.” ~ Joel Glanzberg

One can see in 2’ contour interval the public space of the river
its floodplain and alluvium. How like a Noli diagram this is!

A meander is a sinuous stream channel whose length is gen-

erally 1.5 times greater than its downstream length. A me-
ander can slow waterflow and yield sediment depositions
within its flood plain. Although a single stream meander is
an idealized and romantic form they are also, if allowed to
migrate as a braided form within a dynamic flood plain, a
rich source of vegetated habitat diversity. We realize that not
all streams necessitate enforced meanders. The issue is com-
plex.

The goal of this blog is to re-introduce the pattern of a me-

ander. Now, with rapid and vast ecological change already
upon us, the interstices of land based practice MUST travel
with and through our urban landscapes.

Square World Round Heart proposes four things:

• To reduce and RECYCLE THE CONCRETE used in the storm-

Albuquerque Neighborhood Associations

water drainage system. This would offset urban heat island

effect created by concrete massing along the drainage sys-
tem.
• To introduce ALTERNATIVES to the current stormwater
drainage system. A rural stream restoration practice is the
primary focus of this blog.
• To plant resultant ‘point bars’ in the sedimented catch-
ment areas along the buffer zones with EDIBLE LAND-
SCAPE. This landscape would assist food production for
two leggeds, four leggeds and other creatures in the com-
ing years.
• To encourage adoption of local ‘meanders’ by civic orga-
nizations like NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS or Public
Schools. These adoption areas could create matrix prox-
imities that would enhance the creation of viable habitat
along the stormwater corridors. Contact AMAFCA.org if
you are interested in this idea. A current proposal for recre-
ational trails is already underway for the Hahn Arroyo.

Interventions courtesy of Bill Zeedyke

Perhaps we should begin in small increments higher up in the
watershed. A more dynamic floodplain may be possible here.
This may alleviate the scouring of sediment loads down-
stream.

One rock dams all the way down?

These frequently fail during high flood events. But using (
chunks of concrete?) between induced meanders and baffles
in arroyos may build help build more saturated soils and a
plant base so that erosion does not pollute the waterways.

After small upstream meanders are installed many neighbor-

hood associations could help maintain larger stream sec-
tions.. Especially at intersections and where public parks and
trails occur.

What if some of these baffles were constructed out of recy-

cled steel? Or large wooden posts made into birdhouses/bat-
houses?

In dense urban areas the opportunity to define floodplains

for edible landscape at induced point bars might be defined
by the following criteria:
Close proximity to a Neighborhood Association who will
adopt care and maintenance duties at AMAFCA ‘s discretion.
Vacant lots or parking lots
Close proximity to School systems

Large swords of semi arid grassland species or habitat pro-

tection could define the borders of these enterprises.

The planned linear drainage areas in red on the adjacent

map may be more opportunities to investigate other meth-
ods for slowing stormwater runnoff and creating new land
held in common for our future generations.

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens
-William Carlos Williams