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Alexandria is already often waterlogged. How will it adjust to climate change?
Alexandria is already often waterlogged. How will it adjust to climate change?
SUSTAINABILITY By Rita Abou Samra (Contributor) September 13, 2018
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This summer, there have been many mornings when I have had to make a detour to get into my office building due to Alexandria's frequent inundation. I've even witnessed people casually having their lunch and coffee at sidewalk cafes as water from the river rose around them.
Alexandria built its waterfront below the river's natural elevation. That's become a real problem in recent years, and now the city is trying to figure out how to preserve its history and also adapt to a future with much more rain and flooding.
The Alexandria waterfront as we know it is actually a landfill that was created between 1749 and 1845. At the time, the constructed land was initially built at a lower elevation to increase waterfront acreage. That's why recent heavy rainfall has caused the river water to rise and overflow onto the adjacent streetscape.
While some people mind the flooding more than others, climate change will likely increase the intensity and frequency and make it harder to manage.
Historic shoreline. Image by City of Alexandria used with permission.
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The Alexandria flood of 1900. Image by City of Alexandria used with permission.
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Flooded interim King Street Park. Image by the author.
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SUSTAINABILITY By Rita Abou Samra (Contributor) September 13, 2018
....
This summer, there have been many mornings when I have had to make a detour to get into my office building due to Alexandria's frequent inundation. I've even witnessed people casually having their lunch and coffee at sidewalk cafes as water from the river rose around them.
Alexandria built its waterfront below the river's natural elevation. That's become a real problem in recent years, and now the city is trying to figure out how to preserve its history and also adapt to a future with much more rain and flooding.
The Alexandria waterfront as we know it is actually a landfill that was created between 1749 and 1845. At the time, the constructed land was initially built at a lower elevation to increase waterfront acreage. That's why recent heavy rainfall has caused the river water to rise and overflow onto the adjacent streetscape.
While some people mind the flooding more than others, climate change will likely increase the intensity and frequency and make it harder to manage.
Historic shoreline. Image by City of Alexandria used with permission.
....
The Alexandria flood of 1900. Image by City of Alexandria used with permission.
....
Flooded interim King Street Park. Image by the author.
....
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