HISTORY OF THE RIVER
Macal and Belize River
The Macal River runs through the Cayo district and is approximately 200 miles in length. It rises
in a rugged portion of the Maya Mountains and flows in a northerly direction, where it joins with
the Mopan River to form the Belize River. The Belize River, also known as the Old River, begins
where the Mopan River and Macal River join just east of San Ignacio. It winds along the northern
edge of the Maya Mountains to the sea just north of Belize City, measuring approximately 180
miles.
Use of the River
These rivers were a vital part of the Maya Empire, considered a ‘superhighway’ for the ancient
Mayas. These waterways were used as a transport and trade route, linked urban, trade and
ceremonial centers, and connected the interior to the coastal trade route. They were also used
as an important source of water, food and hygiene. The Europeans continued to use the river for
these vital functions, as well as being essential to the timber industry. Logs were floated down to
the coast, where they were contained within large floating booms, before being processed for
shipping overseas or turned into lumber for local construction.
The first known rafts were used by the Mayas. Before the construction of dugout canoes and pit
pans, wooden rafts were built from balsa wood, which is lightweight and floats easily. This was
later adopted by the French Huguenots, who settled mostly in the coastal areas of Belize. These
crafts were known as “Baliza”, and is believed the name “Belize” was a mispronunciation of the
word. Eventually, dugout canoes and dories were created as a means of transport, especially
before bridges were built. Some trees used to create these include the Guanacaste Tree, the
Cotton Tree and in some cases, Mahogany.
ENVIROMENTAL AWARENESS
Pollution (Causes & Prevention)
Causes of pollution along the Macal River and Belize River include:
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Improper disposal of solid waste and water used for cleaning and bathing that would go
to drainages that lead to the river
Domestic pets that move freely, possibly increasing bacteria and negatively affecting the
nutrients with their waste
The use of aircrafts to spray fields very close to the river; it makes it difficult to stop a
specified location and can contaminate the river
Careless application of fertilizer that could later be washed into the river by rain
Applications of pesticides and fertilizers that could help increase the number of algae
in the water. While algae can be beneficial, if they grow too fast, they will die faster and
allow bacteria to eat them up, decreasing the amount of oxygen in the water.
Tourist facilities that use inflatable balloons to lift logs can disturb the sediments of the
river floor. If there are any heavy metals (such as iron or mercury), it can disperse into
water. *this hasn’t been fully tested but is still a possibility*
Mopan River - pollution, if any, is unknown beyond Benque Veijo, as it flows from Guatemala. It
can be diluted, though may still be present.
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has thirty-three (33) monitoring sites along the
Macal, Mopan and Belize River, leading to the Haulover Bridge, which is used for water quality
monitoring. These are conducted the last week of every two months. The data is collected
and analyzed to determine the condition of the water. The last check showed a slightly high
presence of phosphate and nitrate. The environment has the capacity to absorb some, but even
small quantities of these nutrients can cause algal bloom (rapid increase/growth of algae). The
good thing is the volume of water coming down is high, so it is continuously flushing everything.
If the flow rate was low, it would create a crisis (such as the one on the New River.)
Prevention methods to reduce pollution include:
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Proper disposal of solid waste and garbage (this will also help reduce micro plastics
found in fish)
Constructing proper soakways and treatment systems in residential areas
Respecting the sixty-six feet (66) reserve. The river has a high water mark and from
that point going 66 feet away from the river is a reserve. Cutting down of vegetation in
that area should not occur.
Farmers should conduct a self-test analysis of the soil and see how much nutrients
are available, and what nutrients need to be replenished. This helps to avoid carelessly
applying fertilizer.
Information courtesy Henry Sanchez, Department of the Environment
River Bank Erosion
River bank erosion occurs when water wears away at the banks of a river or stream. Common
contributing factors to river bank erosion includes: removal of vegetation, intense rainfall and
flooding, and improper land usage. Large amounts of unstable erosion can cause issues such as:
loss of businesses and farmland, homelessness and migration, and mass failure, which occurs
when an entire section of the bank collapses into the river.
One major river bank control method is natural vegetation. Vegetation allows for slower erosion
due to the roots of the vegetation generally increasing the soil’s strength. Additionally, plants can
act as shock absorbers during heavy rainfall. While trees and plants that are native to the area
are always the best choices when selecting natural vegetation, you can also opt for plants known
for their expansive root systems and ability to grow near water.