The Suburbanization of Rural Streamways

In my part of the world, anyway. Had the thought to do this on the way out during my bike ride today, so stopped for the pictures on the way back in. All are on trails in the western half of one city within ten miles or so of each other. (Click on each image for the full-size picture.)

The valleys where water naturally drains are usually too wet for much rural use unless they get dammed up for ponds or are used as dumping grounds.



The first signs of suburban civilization are often recreational trails that allow access to the wet areas.







Sometimes really marshy areas are too wet for housing and can only be domesticated into parks . . .



. . . but more often even the wettest areas end up next to back yards (hard to see for the trees, but there are houses across the water).



When houses develop on only one side of streamways, they can still retain some natural wildness.











But eventually they will be converted to city centers with full makeovers.