That’s the same Roseau River which burst its banks during a hurricane in 1806, claiming the lives of over 100 Dominicans, mostly poor slaves, and flowed through what is now Kennedy Avenue. Then in 1924, it rose dramatically as a result of the collapse of a huge landslide dam which had impounded the Roseau River at Trafalgar and the flood waters washed away the first Bath (Estate) Bridge.
Is that the same river which, while Dominica was being affected by one of the rain bands associated with Hurricane Dorothy in August 1970, washed away the northern third of what was known then as the “Old Bridge”, claimed the life of a Fireman who was on a rescue mission, and flooded part of Pottersville then? When the new bridge was constructed and officially opened in 1983, it was named after prominent Dominican Trade Unionist Emanuel Christopher (E.C.) Loblack.
That’s the same Roseau River which, during the infamous Christmas Eve Trough of 24th December 2013, got somewhat “angry”, overflowed its banks near its mouth, and flooded Lower River Bank, Save-a-Lot, KFC and part of Hanover Street?
That’s the same Roseau River which gave the city of Roseau and the suburb of Pottersville a very stern warning on 27th August 2015, with the passing of Tropical Storm (T.S.) Erika, bursting its banks in the “Dead End” area of Bath Estate, claiming the lives of the two Lewis brothers at Paradise Valley (section of Bath Estate); severely flooding Paradise Valley and leaving some of the houses hanging precariously over the river’s edge; and washing away the western third of the Elmshall Bridge.
Yea, that’s the same Roseau River which, during T.S. Erika, washed away the water and sewage lines that were to have served the new (Government) Elmshall Apartments; washed away the water and sewage lines for the Bath Estate Community; threatened the Bath Estate Bridge, and compromised the ruins of the longest suspension bridge in the OECS.On that day the river’s flood waters also caused accelerated erosion along the apron of the southern side of the Bath Estate Football Field, resulting in the cancellation of football matches at that venue until further notice.
Yea man. That’s the same Roseau River which, still during T.S. Erika, climbed over and damaged the Stadium Bridge, then flowed down River Bank, River Street and Hillsborough Street, and deposited a large quantity of debarked logs, sand and debris around the northern end of the “Stadium Bridge”.
That’s the same river, which, again during T.S. Erika, washed away several small buildings (snackettes/bars) located along the bank of the river at the southern end of River Bank.That’s the same Roseau River which, during “Erika”, destroyed the Berean Church, the Berean Christian Academy and a dwelling house; washed away part of Pivteau Street at Pottersville; and seriously undermined the foundations of a few of the other houses along the edge of that short street.
Added to that, that’s the same Roseau River which, during the same T.S. Erika, flooded Save-a-Lot, KFC, DEXIA, the Roseau Produce and Fish Markets, Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard, Old Street, Hanover Street, Long Lane, Laing Lane, Love Lane, western Hillsborough Street and Kennedy Avenue, Ship Street and others, depositing sand, mud and debris as far as Garraway Hotel and the outside of the eastern walls of the Court House & Registry Building.
That’s the same Roseau River which, during Erika, damaged the railings of the Dominica-China Friendship Bridge, damaged the river wall at the Roseau Market, and left two large, gaping cavities in the southern approach to the bridge, and damaged the major sewer line leading to DOWASCO’s treatment plant on the right-hand bank (northern side) of the river.
[To be continued and concluded in Part III]
Thanks for the history cause I was born during 1970 to know the history of the Roseau River
The Elmshall Development should not have happened, a dam should have been constructed across the valley towards good will to hold back the river and the lake formed could have been used for recreation and hydroelectric power generation. The flow of the river can be controlled by a dam, the Roseau river flooding has always been a problem that will continue.
Pondering
I had never heard of that “Three Sisters” area in the Roseau River. So, that would be just past Sikwi?
AJ
You also forgot the part of th river called ‘Thrd Sisters just near the bend in th road by Grammar school where th chinese lived.
Great write up Mr James but you forgot to mension the family that as wiped out by Hurricane David. This family had lived in a dangerous part of Palm Grove between the two rivers. Only a grand mother and grand daughter survived to tell the story. I know about it because some of the m went to school around same time with me.
Pondering
Thanks for that tit-bit. Had not heard of that unfortunate incident, but totally forgot the folks who perished in a landslide near River Douce, during Hurricane David. Their corpses were allegedly washed into the Roseau River.
I like the “Mostly poor slaves” part. Where were the Rich slaves residing
Once again.. a job well done! Thanks for the information on the Roseau river.
How comes I ain’t hear Roosevelt say he going to the relocate the city of Roseau?
Has anyone looked into the concept of building gabion barriers along various vulnerable river banks in Dominica as a means of protecting communities against river flooding?
To me these gabion barriers offer a good way to harvest all these boulders and turn them into something useful.
The Roseau river has a long history with storms including bodies that are still under the paved streets over a century. What we experienced recently was surprising to us but has been recurring every generation for over 2 centuries based on records. We must ask what happened before those records and wonder if it is not just mother nature resetting things.
I know that some will say climate change and that is most likely true if the frequency increases.
Excellent article.
Kudos to the author.
Let’s just cancel the Roseau river. Because it has brought nothing but misery to Dominica.
Yep, it’s the same Roseau River across which they will build another LOW Profile bridge like the Stadium bridge again. Possibly by one political party or the other to gain votes.
Joe u shouldnt say that. This bridge was overdu for decades. I would agree with you if you only said it iz too low. I lived very near this bridge and was happy to see it bring built bu was disappointed on how low it waz built. I have seen this rive flooded and I knew that the height of the bridge was a grave mistake.
Ya, just the height been a mistake from the start. Good idea to build it at that location.
Its is great to get that bit of history lesson which i honestly must confess that I as a Dominica was not aware of pre 1970
Apart from that history lesson what is the writer trying to say?
I guess we will wait and see
Does everything have to contain a hidden message?
Couldn’t the author just be trying to combine his obvious love for History and Photography and sharing it with we the readers?
Every corner don’t necessarily have a devil you know.
Stupes!
Correction. The Bearean Church and dwelling house was on St. Johnston’s Avenue.
Congratulations on a very informative article.
I stand corrected.