Lagoa of Comoro River Estuary

Rivers when flown through by storm water in rainy season become extremely overwhelming, and intimidating.  Runoff water flows ragingly along the banks, erodes anything on its way even the concreted riverbank walls. People who live nearby are usually anxious, afraid of being affected. But how it feels when the water filling the river stays calm and static?

Comoro River is seasonal. It gets water when there is rain. No water remains after the rain; the storm water usually goes straight down to the sea because of the short distance of upstream to downstream. The river empties in short time. The river then becomes dried, dusty, and barren. What worse are sand diggers or miners excavate the deposit or materials for sell. This mining activity is not a very good thing for the river to stay intact to serve its functions.

After all the downside, the Comoro River estuary shows something that could be tapped and enjoyed buy the community in Dili. The estuary got filled by seawater after high tides in recent weeks. The seawater intruded up to like 400-500 meters long to the upstream. The water then trapped after the tides transported sands and closed the way out.

The trapped water now stays inside the enclosed estuary. There, a small Lagoa (lake) created. The water stays calm allowing mosses, small fishes, and other biodiversity around the area start to form. Birds and other animals get a new plaza at the side of the river to roam around. The Lagoa looks very natural and fresh in the morning time.

The Comoro River estuary is a public space. Some people go there to exercise; not only that, it is one of the best sunset spots in Dili. When this small lake formed, it adds more attraction not only for the biodiversity but for people. Many people go there to take photos. The main features that they would like to capture with when they take photos are the lake itself, the sunset, and some part of the sea body. The whole area of the estuary is now getting more photogenic. 

I was sitting on river protection wall while looking over the Lake; the water is so calm, and beautiful. It is so relaxing that I could listen to the sound of birds, and feel the gust of wind that is so fresh. I was thinking that whether the government can do something to this estuary in a long term plan.  It needs some engineering intervention to keep the Lake stay longer and public infrastructure arrangement as well. I was imagining if in the future, the lake does not only serve as photo spot, but also paddling of small canoes. This is mostly considerable when I think about the development of Dili International airport. Tourists could see this when they fly overhead. This calm water makes people to come closer and love rivers more instead of afraid of it.

**I hope this gives you an inspiration.