in 
Jocotepec
Jocotepec Demasiado Agua en El Malecón
Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 11:49AM by Kris
Too much water on the lake-front promenade......
In the perfect world, our California lake, Camanche, would be full for all its uses and our Mexican Lago de Chapala would not only be full but clean. Ah perfecto. Alas, the drought situation at home doesn't have an end in sight nor is the possibility of a non-polluted Lago de Chapala in the near future. But full Lago de Chapala is...and then some.
The summer rains were plentiful and the threat of hurricane storms brought even more water downstream from threatened lakes making room for expected water. The watershed in this area wasn't prepared for such an influx and Lago de Chapala is full to the max. That's saying mucho for a shallow but huge, at 6.5 million acre feet, body of water.
How that translates to the reality of life on and around the malecón is best shown in pictures.
*****
When we said goodbye to the beautiful malecón of Joco last April, the shoreline was cleared of basura (trash), graded and newly landscaped with young palm trees. The benches along the walk were freshly painted a vivid and shiny rojo, and the artists had completed the mosaic tiling on the whimsical fish chairs on the malecón plaza.
Great job City of Jocotepec, your malecón shines above all others on Lago de Chapala...
Mother Nature changed the landscape (She usually has the last word...) in the summer rainy season.
Flash forward to our return in November of 2008 and the shock of the amazing transformation.
In an effort to salvage the palms, they've been transplanted to higher ground. Unfortunately they've been replaced with the dastardly invasive lirio - aka water hyacinth. Nasty stuff.
Pre-flood fútbol field enjoyed by an early morning walker.
Post-flood fútbol field turned into a bird sanctuary...
The adjacent picnic and siesta area in April...
Picnic table for boaters after the storms...
It's now December and the area is still drying-out - mucha chamba (hard work) - mucho done by hand.
The malecón is looking good but a lot of work remains before the two week long January Fiestas patronales honoring El Señor del Monte, Jocotepec's "Lord of the Mountain".
The pumps are done moving water from the park side of the malecón to the lake.
Soon the park will again host picnics and fútbol matches and siestas! Soon artisans and vendors will sell goods and foods during the festival. And again families and lovers will stroll and enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Jocotepec malecón.
¡Que bueno!
mOOners
Reader Comments (3)
Enjoyed your latest entry. Darn tumultuous weather! (You should see what Ike did to Will & Steve in Ausin; it knocked over a chair). Glad you had before pics, but sad that they're necessary. I know that you both will pitch in with any of the reconstruction efforts needed; you are practically residents! (And maybe care more than some?)
But let's get down to it....We know you've been dancing, and to rid my thoughts of Rick Moranis doing the merangea (?) with my mother (My Blue Heaven style), I'd like to see some photos!
xoxo
xoxo
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with posadas,fiestas,mucho beverages and a Merry Christmas to all !!!