flash floods in the lower parts of the city became common. the damage to the natural waterways peaked in 1843, and serious water shortages plagued the city, causing the government to take measures in a bid to save the forest and the streams.  

initial replanting began in 1845, but it was not until emperor dom pedro ii, the second and last ruler of the empire of brazil, appointed major manuel gomes archer as manager of the forest in 1861, that the reforestation project really took off.