In a reminder that Mana Plain’s natural habitat is swamp land even on the desert-like Westside, heavy rains burst the brim at a irrigation ditch known as Second Ditch and located north of Kekaha this week, sending millions of gallons
In a reminder that Mana Plain’s natural habitat is swamp land even on the desert-like Westside, heavy rains burst the brim at a irrigation ditch known as Second Ditch and located north of Kekaha this week, sending millions of gallons of muddy fresh water into the ocean.
The muddy river stained the azure blue waters of the Westside, with an opaque red dirt run off stretching from Kinikini Point fronting the Pacific Missile Range Facility to the Kekaha lifeguard tower.
The berm burst is nothing new, said Kevin McMahon, location manager at Syngenta Seeds, the company that operates the land around Second Ditch.
“Nature is taking its course,” he said. “It’s typical what has happened. Rainwater water pushes and shoves until it gets out. It’s normal when the ditch gets full and goes over the berm,” eroding the highest points as it races towards the ocean.
While muddy water usually attracts all types of sealife, especially sharks, one Kekaha lifeguard said no sharks have been sighted in the Kekaha beach area.
The state Department of Health is advising the public to stay out of streams, coastal, and standing waters that are contaminated by storm water (usually easily spotted by their brown or murky color).
Storm water can contain micro-organisms (pathogens) harmful to humans, such as leptospirosis from overflowing cesspools or septic tanks as well as animal feces washed into streams and storm drains.
Staff writer Tom Finnegan can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 226)
