Sedimentation in Rio Daule is increasing evidently

The low tide that Daule River reached on Saturday January 19, between the edge of the private neighborhood La Puntilla and the islet El Palmar, revealed its irregular surface, reflecting the impact of sedimentation that shortens the distance between the island and this urbanization in Samborondon.

Jacinto Rivero, an engineer who has studied El Palmar, says that the accumulation of sand will make “in a few years” the island and La Puntilla join.

The registry on the surface of El Palmar revealed a progressive increase. In 1959 had 450 meters under water (river area with minimal depth) and in 1985 its area was 54 hectares; in 2001 reached 70. Now exceeds that size and is one of the critical sites for the sedimentation of the Guayas River and its tributaries, the Babahoyo and Daule River.

Nancy Hilgert, coordinator of the biologist consulting company Guayas River Water Keeper, explains that the main cause of river sedimentation is deforestation in the upper basins, because cutting the trees increases erosion.

The number of sandbanks in these areas of the Babahoyo and Daule rivers, increase the risk of flooding in towns near them, such as Samborondon and  Guayaquil.