We tend to forget that Richmond is a low-lying community - with an average of one metre above sea level - and we would have far less land and much more water were it not for the dykes.
Dozens of unsung heroes keep our city dry, safe and sound.
One example of that is the Richmond city workforce that patrols our dyke system and checks to make sure that all is well.
A key part of this is checking that proper drainage takes place and that accumulating water is pumped out.
During high tides and heavy rains – as now – the workers are out night and day.
The main challenge is that piles of vegetation and other debris build up in the inner ditch that protects the properties inside the West Dyke.
While walking these dykes, I came across workers in two locations who descended the grassy slope of the inner dyke, carrying a long rake-like tool.
The workers – near the terminus of Westminster Highway and also at Blundell Road - then carefully removed the branches, grasses and other material that was blocking the water from flowing through the ditch.
Importantly, this cleanup protects the mechanical parts of the pumping stations.
The end result of this essential work is a smooth flowing system that carries the excess rain and tidal water back to the Salish Sea.
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