Unsustainable Landscaping

Recently a beautification project was completed at the detention ponds between Mobile and Memphis avenues in El Paso. This project is part of two such projects - the other is currently being completed at the detention pond at Harrison and Alabama.

Here is a picture of the job just underway when some plants were added along Louisiana:

Here is a picture of the same place after completion:

Notice the addition of all of the rock.

Now here is a shot of a "park" added just below the place where water during a storm runs off from the detention pond onto Memphis and then down Elm Street:

Here is a closer view of the "park" showing landscaping with screenings:

First, there is just too much rock piled in one area. Why is this unsustainable? Take a look at that huge portion of the Franklin Mountains which Cemex is quickly taking down:

The mountain is not going to grow back!

The problem with the screenings is that they cannot be sustained in this area. Once flood water starts running through this "park", the screenings will wash down Elm Street. The screenings will have to be replaced unless a more sustainable solution can be found once and for all.

Today's post is just a first in a series of the differences between real xeriscaping and El Paso's penchant to "zero"scape and bring the mountain down in the process.