The swamp was upside down

"The Swamp Was Upside Down" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction story set on Canna III, where a colonial survey mission faces dire environmental consequences after their irrigation methods cause the soil to destabilize. Senior Officer Hardwick is called to action when these issues, tied to complex groundwater dynamics, threaten the entire planet. The story follows the escalating conflict between local civilians and the Survey personnel as Hardwick and Lieutenant Barnes desperately work to find a solution, even resorting to innovative measures like using ship fuel to stabilize the ground. The story presents themes of authority, resourcefulness, and the precarious balance between human progress and nature, creating a tense race to avert disasters.