Arthur's Irrigation Dam
Why should we store our memories in Hive, our forever memory bank?
Driving around the small town of Pinetown, are a couple of roads that I call 'Arthur's roads', as he designed them when working at the local municipality.
His field of expertise was roads and stormwater.
However, he later joined a firm of consulting engineers, where he was taken right out of his comfort zone when he was tasked to design and manage the construction of an irrigation dam.
This proved to be an innovative water conservation project. The dam serves a dual purpose in attenuating and harvesting storm water run-off and enhances the natural beauty of the area affectionately called The Ridge, by locals.
The project was completed in 2012 and was nominated for a prestigious engineering award, a huge honour for my man; I was super proud of him!
Of course, I now call the Ridgeside Irrigation Dam in Umhlanga on the North Coast of Kwazulu Natal, 'Arthur's Dam'.
2019
Arthur retired in 2014 but used Google Earth to see how 'his' irrigation dam fared after heavy summer rainfalls, especially after the devastating mudslides of 2022 when the dam likely saved properties further down the valley!
We both went back to Umhlanga Ridge in 2019 to see the dam; it was a much prettier sight with lush green vegetation. The dam, with a capacity of 5.8 million litres of water, had filled over the years, and no longer looked like the 'red mud pool' of 2012!
2012
I visited an old school friend yesterday, and it turns out she lives on the other side of The Ridge, within walking distance of the dam. We're hoping the area is accessible, as we want to walk there next time I visit!
I'm so thankful that I wrote a detailed blog five years ago about the construction of the dam, as Arthur no longer is here to answer my questions.
Once again this proves the value of storing memories on the blockchain.
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Artwork by @artywink
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Artwork by @artywink
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You must miss him very much. How nice you spoke about him so often, and that you have these posts to return to!
The missing never goes away, as you know.
I'm super thankful that I have so many memories stored here
Thank you for your kind words @owasco ❤️
That is really cool! And such a great reminder to store our memories on here! Far too often I think no one else will want to read about the boring day-to-day stuff here in Panama, but this is a good reminder that someday I may want to take a trip down memory lane! He did a great job with the dam.
You certainly need to share those memories, it will be precious in years to come, especially photos that get lost on a crashed pc or those old photos that fade and yellow with age. Just like our memories also fade, but here on Hive it's store forever for your family and friends
This is pretty cool and a great way for memories of Arthur to keep being fresh in thoughts Lizzie!
It truly is as so many memories get lost. I find some memories come flooding back when I sit down to write, and at other times I prod family or friends. I'm so glad I wrote about the dam while Arthur was still here. Plus, it's great to see the dam that some of his colleagues jokingly teased him about. The red mud pool has now proved its worth and is serving the immediate developments.
Have a great Friday Ed🤗
Nice positive footprint left as a reminder to apply oneself. Task at hand in 2012 now benefits others when working with nature vs destroying it.
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The visit to my friend reminded me about the dam, definitely want to take a walk there, Hopefully, access is not restricted, but we'll find out. There are pathways when one looks at Google Maps, it's just above the Strauss Daly building one sees from Umhlanga Rocks Drive.
Their client was Tongaat-Hulett, they're overly eco-sensitive, obviously because they must get flack for stripping sugarcane to make way for luxury developments on the North Coast! But it is a very successful project. A nice footprint as you say <3
I hope we're not heading for flooding, this rain is not stopping, and it's so cold again!
Have a good weekend Joan.
Loving the rain, dreading the thought of when the sun arrives with humidity, that's life!
To remember Arthur with a structure like this is extra special, I really hope you find a way to meander around thoroughly enjoying it, chatting to the other half along the way remember not out loud!
Have a wonderful weekend, we should have been going into the Rhino Peak area today, alas at home fixing and repairing.
I often talk to him silently, scolding him for leaving so soon.
Apparently it was snowing at Mooi River this afternoon when a friend was driving down from Joburg.
What a pity about the weather. I've never heard of the Rhino Peak, there's always a next time though! Hope to see it through your eyes when you do go.
I have my words with long gone loved ones still, might be alone, never lonely....
Drakensberg Gardens is where Rhino Peak has best view up valley, have seen it through all seasons over the years going up, not this year.
Imagine how beautiful the snow would have been up there, but freezing cold as well!
Hopefully you get there soon, still a couple of months left.
I believe our loved ones hear us chatting to them, as crazy as it sounds.
At least not as cold as last night, and all those motorists should have reached their destination by now!
Enjoy your evening Joan.
Have been up there previously with snow higher up not on the ground which does happen more frequently at this time of year. Repairs and painting first, taxes and other commitments still to be done, holidays will come hopefully sooner than later.
Another snow alert up for this weekend coming, possible flooding from last weekends heavy fall warning out. Cold and wet away from home is a love/hate situation, definitely don't enjoy driving through the mist or rain.
Have a wonderful week, I am simply taking some time off at the moment to reply and say hello....
How proud you must be of Arthur's accomplishments! His work is living on to improve the lives of others in the town. I really hope this blockchain is around for a long time to come so we can all revisit these valuable memories. They add so much to our lives, I'm discovering this as I get older.
I am super proud of him. He was very humble, had a brilliant mind, and thought outside the box.
Hive has kept me sane since losing him. I'm so thankful for #memoirmonday as well, it also is a fabulous way to store our memories. Funny how I can't remember much till I sit down and start writing.
Thank you for your kindness Eric.
Arthur sounds so much like my dad was. He was probably a mechanical genius but so very humble. I'm glad to hear you're getting so much out of Memoir Monday, Lizelle! I certainly have enjoyed reminiscing and learning more about other people on Hive as well. You're welcome and I thank you for being such a good friend.
Thanks!
You speak with pride, of Arthur's accomplishment. Seems to me he achieved the best that we all can hope for from life. He left behind love, that endures. He left behind a physical legacy of his work. And he left behind a community that benefits still from his vision and talent.
Wouldn't we all like to leave such a record?
Your blogs are a lovely tribute to him.