Coastal erosion on Panama

As covered in past posts, we know that Panama has two seasons. A dry season, and a rainy season. In it's rainy season Panama can see as much as 75 inches of rain. This can create many problems, such as soil erosion. This has been a big issue of discussion regarding the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is used as a passageway for ships to cross through Central America and come out of the other side instead of having to go all the way around the tip if South America. This short cut can save ships thousands of miles and money, if they fit of course. Not all ships do however. To correct this, the Panama Canal has undergone renovations to expand the canal. This will allow more and larger ships to pass through which would of course bring in more income.

The biggest set back to this is soil erosion. The excavation digging has caused loose sediment to float into the water due to the lack of vegetation which can have a negative effect in the water. To avoid this, the Panama Canal Authority has elected the aid of a product that can NaturesOwn X9000. This product is a fiber mulch material that excels in soil erosion prevention. It has been testing in the rainforests of Panama and has succeeded in protecting the local vegetation after the heavy rainfall.

This article that I came across is a perfect example of how a natural hazard can effect the country, and how the government has come up with a solution and help prevent future damages. If this is applied to the excavation site and works, this can boost the local economy and bring in more business and expand tourism. This is a great example of how the country has stepped up to find a solution to a natural hazard.

“Soil Erosion in the Panama Canal.” Storm Water Solutions, 14 Sept. 2012, www.estormwater.com/soil-erosion-panama-canal.