July 18, 2012
California

Wind-turbine project creating flooding problems?

By William Howell, San Diego Reader | www.sandiegoreader.com 17 July 2012

I flew over Ocotillo on July 17 to check out reports that recent construction roads and footings for the planned 100-plus wind-turbine towers had adversely affected the natural drainage for the village.

Last Thursday, July 12, a downpour hit the small desert community and longtime residents noted that there was flooding and washed-out roads where they had never seen those problems before.

It is common for flash floods to speed down the eastern slopes of the Jacumba mountains and wash out parts of SR-2, Shell Canyon Road, and even I-8 on occasion.

The construction roads photographed here run basically north and south, creating a damming effect across the natural washes running down from the mountains. There were even instances of excavations for tower footings, the size of a single-family home, filled with runoff water from five days ago.

Local residents are consulting with governmental authorities and their legal representatives to determine what actions should be taken to protect their village from flooding during the monsoon season.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/18/wind-turbine-project-creating-flooding-problems/