Crowsnest River Banks, Healthy vs Damaged

Canada is know for its Banks. Our Banks are seen as solid and stable. Our Banks are envied around the world. Britain even snatched the Governor of our Banks.

Below is a good, solid Canadian Bank. It is a Crowsnest River Bank.

healthy crowsnest river bank

 

intact crowsnest river bank

Below is a poor, weak Bank. It is also a Crowsnest River Bank.




unhealthy crowsnest river bank

cow trodden crowsnest river bank

 

The difference between the two Banks is the good, solid one hasn't had Cows on it and the poor, weak one has. The weak one has been trampled by the heavy creatures and is caving in. Also, the Cows have eaten much of the stream side vegetation which keeps the soil in place. When Banks cave in a river broadens, becomes shallower, and the water becomes warmer and murky. Water quality suffers and cold water species like Trout disappear.

If you keep Cows off of a river and leave the riparian vegetation alone (don't cut it down), the Banks will stay intact. Large wildlife like deer don't degrade Banks.

Pristine water is a rarity. You'd think we would want to keep the few cool, clear streams that we have left.

Here is a good solid Bank. I have often seen deer sleeping here.

 

 

 

Here is a damaged Bank.