Every year in March, Belizeans across the Cayo District, down through the Belize River Valley look forward to the annual La Ruta Maya Race. It's a sporting event - which, much like the cross country - has become more than just a race, it's a cultural happening. But, this year, the path to the end of the race is in serious jeopardy because the Haulover Creek - which is the finishing stretch as it enters Belize City - is substantially blocked. We went on the creek today to see what's the problem and find out what's the solution, if any:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
We're all used to seeing the dramatic finish of the Ruta Maya race on the 9th of March Weekend as the paddlers come thundering down the Haulover Creek.
But this year, two miles of the Creek are virtually impassable, dense with overgrowth and fallen trees - and the Canoe Association has asked to city to clean it up.
The investigating team, comprising the city Council, the Port Authority, and Fisheries set out from the seaside around the City's coast to enter the Belize River. Under The Haulover Bridge, into the Haulover Creek where every 10 feet we encountered another obstacle.
Trees toppled in Hurricane Earl straddle the river bed like Submarine speedups. We did get past them with some effort and got moving down the creek again, but it was tough going with all the overgrowth.
Soon it was hard to tell the boat from the overgrowth as its tentacles pushed in. And traveling up just a few dozen feet more, it was clear that the creek was impassable. We wouldn't be able to go any further. The overgrowth was dense and impenetrable, and the water brackish and inert.
It's not fit for a canoe race, and it doesn't even look healthy. Councillor Willloughby agrees.
Jules Vasquez, 7 News
"Were you surprised at what you saw today?"
Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor
"Pretty much so. You heard the discussion we had whilst on the tour. We believe that it could be that Hurricane Earl created the inundation of the top soil and the trees that have fallen across the river, the waterways. So we didn't foresee that."
Jules Vasquez, 7 News
"So now we are estimating that about 2 miles of that Haulover Creek is substantially blocked. Who will clear this and how will they clear it?"
Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor
"Additionally agencies will need to come on board and look on this situation more in depth, so we can come up with a solution to remedy and rectify what our findings were."
Jules Vasquez, 7 News
"So the Ruta Maya organizers be looking for a different route for the last leg of their race?"
Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor
"That is quite possibly an option they can look at."
The blockage covers about two miles of the Creek's path - so he says they may want to start the last leg of the race near Belama Phase three.
But, it's not all about the race. Observers suspect the unusual buildup of siltation in the Belize Harbor last year could also be related to these stagnant waters:
Councilor Phillip Willoughby, Investigating Haulover Creek Cleanup
"For me the cause and effects what is happening within the two harbors of the Haulover Creek, I believe it's causing the built up of the siltation in both areas."
And more than just the health of the harbor, hens worried about the health of the waterway:
Phillip Willoughby, Investigating Haulover Creek Cleanup
"Is there any health issues that can derive from the built up and the stagnation of the water not flowing within that area and we know that within Belama 3 and 4, it's a heavily populated and residential area."
A total distance of 2.2 miles is impassable. The Belize Canoe Association has a race planned on the Creek for February 18th - and are hoping it can be cleared by then. The association is the one that first prompted the Mayor to help, and now that effort has expanded to a multi-agency initiative. But, at the end of the day, someone has to come in with money, heavy equipment and manpower to get it all cleared - and the City Council is looking to Central Government.
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