Focus On Flood Control
One of High Plains Weed Management’s primary objectives is flood control. Russian olive trees are shallow rooted, with a root zone rarely beyond two feet in depth. These roots do, however, extend outward past the canopy of the tree foliage. During periods of high water events, such as a 100 year flood, the trees are easily uprooted and will float downstream. Given the numbers of trees per acre, the likelihood of a major disaster is evident. When this mass of trees encounters an obstruction, such as a bridge, the flooding will cover an enormous area. The force of backed up water will eventually cause either the affected bridge to fail or the stream to cut a new channel. The resultant destruction will mean expensive replacement of bridges or the approaches to these bridges. All structures downstream will be affected in the same way.
One of High Plains Weed Management’s primary objectives is flood control. Russian olive trees are shallow rooted, with a root zone rarely beyond two feet in depth. These roots do, however, extend outward past the canopy of the tree foliage. During periods of high water events, such as a 100 year flood, the trees are easily uprooted and will float downstream. Given the numbers of trees per acre, the likelihood of a major disaster is evident. When this mass of trees encounters an obstruction, such as a bridge, the flooding will cover an enormous area. The force of backed up water will eventually cause either the affected bridge to fail or the stream to cut a new channel. The resultant destruction will mean expensive replacement of bridges or the approaches to these bridges. All structures downstream will be affected in the same way.