PAVED LAND, RISING WATERS: A VIDEO DOCUMENTARY
Andrew M. Hilburn, Department of Earth Sciences,
Urbanization affects the rainfall runoff and drainage rates of a watershed. Paved surfaces prevent ground penetration thus funneling rain water into a stream more rapidly and in greater amounts. In addition, concreted and channelized streams facilitate the rapid movement of the drainage load. Environmental problems such as littering, sediment runoff, and automobile emissions move easier and faster into the streams of an urbanized watershed. This film documentary covers the process of this rapid drainage during a heavy rainfall while noting the environmental effects such an event can bring to a watershed. The film is shot on analog 8mm film and edited by computer software.
Keyword: film, urbanization, watershed, drainage
Introduction
The topographic dynamics of a watershed change once is it urbanized. The natural forests, fields, and swamps give way to residences, businesses, parking lots, utility networks and roads (Rose and Peters 2001) which lead to physical and environmental changes in the streams that compose the watershed system (Caraco 1999). During a heavy rainfall an urban watershed and its resulting river, receives large amounts of water in a shorter amount of time than would a more rural one (Leopold 1997). Paved surfaces inhibit ground absorption while at the same time assisting drainage and mass runoff. In addition, many streams in cities are engineered by concretion and sloping to move large quantities of runoff in order to prevent flooding thus further expediting and increasing water flow through the watershed (Brookes 1988). Although flood prevention is beneficial, stream channelization and engineering also aid in the transmission of latent pollutants and sedimentary runoff that would normally be absorbed or deposited in or on the ground prior to reaching the stream (Schueler 2000).
The Dog
River Watershed, which drains a large part of the city of
There has been much research on these heavy rainfall events in the Dog River Watershed, ranging from frequency studies to erosion impact. Yet, aside from a few photographs and video stills, nothing exists that visually shows how one of these events and their effects appear in real-life.
Research Question
This project seeks to capture a heavy, intense rainfall event, one that precipitates at least 0.3” of rain per hour, or one of nearly similar intensity in the Dog River Watershed on video. In addition to the rainfall event, the non-meteorological factors that cause such an event will be shown with the after effects of garbage and sediment runoff and deposition.
Methods
This video documentary was shot on 8mm analog tape on a Sony CCD- TR91 video camcorder during the months of March through April, 2003. Footage of the event was shot whenever a medium to large intensity rain occurred, during both night and daytime. Additional footage was filmed during non-rainy conditions in order to show contrast and for scenes indirectly pertaining to the event, such as before and after sequences, post rainfall drainage, and definitive scenes. Additional graphs and visual aids were used to show abstract concepts relevant to the theme of the movie. I created a video log describing the counter time, scene description, shot quality and usability of the scene (Table 1). From this log, I created a rough storyboard that I casually jotted on paper due to its constantly changing chronology and scene selection (Harwood 1982). After all filming, I edited the stock by computer. The software and hardware interface used in production were the Pinnacle Studio 8 and its AV/DV driver. The final video was compressed into MPEG-1 format and saved on a CD-R.
Table 1. Excerpt from video log.
Video Log |
Tape 1 |
|
|
|
|
Counter Start |
Counter End |
Description |
Date |
Quality (0-3) |
Use? |
|
|
Eslava
Crk., Pan, Sunny |
16-Mar |
2.5 |
Y |
|
|
Eslava
Crk., under bridge |
16-Mar |
2.5 |
Y |
|
|
Eslava
Crk. UB, rev. |
16-Mar |
1.5 |
N |
|
|
Eslava
Crk. Big |
16-Mar |
2 |
M |
|
|
H. Aaron
Stad. |
16-Mar |
2 |
M |
|
|
Tree Shot,
Drain ditch |
16-Mar |
1.5 |
N |
|
|
Flower |
16-Mar |
2.5 |
N |
|
|
Swamp w/
gabions |
16-Mar |
2.25 |
M |
|
|
Swamp w/
gabions 2 |
16-Mar |
2.5 |
M |
|
|
Swamp w/
gabions 3 |
16-Mar |
2.25 |
M |
|
|
Swamp drain/fall |
16-Mar |
2 |
N |
Results
There were no true high intensity rainfall events during the course of this project. However, there were three medium sized rains that provided me with enough footage to compile a five-minute long shot.
Discussion
Knowledge of one’s local environment is indeed important. Awareness of relevant and pressing issues pertaining to the environment should be increased and spread around to better inform residents of their impact on the river along with its current state.
The
citizens of
The
phenomenon of a 10-year rain or other high intensity precipitation has deep
impacts into the healthy condition of the Dog River Watershed. Engineered streams allow these heavy rains to
bring in loads of litter and sediment into
The Dog
River Watershed’s streams and creeks have been altered to such an extent that
they basically function as huge drainage ditches, funneling runoff into
Video media is one of the best ways by which to educate the public. An eye-catching documentary both informs while it entertains, leaving a lasting impact upon the viewing audience, especially one about a local issue.
Conclusion
It is
generally agreed upon that most video references used today pertaining to water
quality or other enviro-geographical themes seem antiquated with
non-contemporary subjects. Their impact and relevance also seem to be limited
to a certain region. For example, a film using strip mining as an example of a
pollution source probably will not have the same impact in
Since this film covers the Dog
River Watershed, its prospective audience, which includes
As a greenhorn in short film production, this project, to say the least, was a learning process. For a field work project, it was a little too ambitious, mostly because of lack of equipment and the time constraints of one semester. Also, as mentioned before, there were no significant rainfalls during this course of study.
Note: Andy's video is still experiencing "technical difficulties.
Brookes, A. 1988. Channelized Rivers: Perspectives for
Environments Management.
Caraco, D. Dynamics of Urban Stream Channel Enlargement. Watershed
Protection Techniques 3 (3): 729-734.
Leopold, L.B. 1997. Waters, Rivers, and Creeks.
Rose, S. and N.E. Peters. 2001.
Effects of urbanization on streamflow in the
Schueler, T.R.. Why stormwater matters. In The Practice of
Watershed Protection. Schueler, T.R. 2000. pp. 365-370.