1.8. River Eden Case Study

Question 1

Where is the River Eden located?

Answer 1

Cumbria
North West England, between the mountains of the Lake District and the Pennines

Question 2

Evidence of rainfall affecting the local water cycle

Answer 2

Rainfall is 1018mm compared to an average of 885mm

Question 3

How does rainfall impact on the local water cycle?

Answer 3

Rainfall is higher than the national average because mountainous terrain encourages relief rainfall.

High rainfall means lots of water enters the river channels rapidly via overland flow so soils saturate quickly.

Question 4

Evidence of relief affecting the local water cycle

Answer 4

Slopes within the Eden basin are steep

Question 5

How does relief affect the local water cycle?

Answer 5

Encourages rapid overland flow, reducing lag times and increasing peak discharge.

Question 6

Evidence of geology- upland affecting the local water cycle

Answer 6

West of basin is made of igneous rocks

Question 7

How does the geology upland affect the local water cycle?

Answer 7

It’s impermeable, meaning no water percolates from the soil water stores.

This means soils saturate quicker, reducing infiltration rates and increasing surface runoff levels.

Question 8

Evidence of geology- lowland affecting the water cycle

Answer 8

Much of the basin at lower levels is made up of limestone and sandstone

Question 9

How does lowland geology affect the local water cycle?

Answer 9

Water percolates into these groundwater stores quickly and remain there for some time.

Saturation leads to a high water table, leading to saturated soil water stores which can lead to short lag times and high flood risk.

Question 10

Evidence for farming impacting the local water cycle

Answer 10

Between 2000-2009, there was a 30% increase in the number of cattle in the Eden Valley.

Question 11

How does intensive farming and soil compaction impact the local water cycle?

Answer 11

Caused soils to become compacted (also by machinery) as land is trampled on -> increases rates of soil saturation, reducing infiltration and increased surface runoff so water levels rise, increasing flood risk

Question 12

How does grazing impact the local water cycle?

Answer 12

Grazing in upland areas = decreased vegetation= rapid saturation of soils = increased surface runoff

Question 13

Evidence of new homes impacting the local water cycle

Answer 13

There are plans to develop a ‘huge village’ to the south of the city, including up to 10,000 new homes

Question 14

How do new homes impact the local water cycle?

Answer 14

Surfaces tend to be impermeable which reduces the size of infiltration flows and greatly increases the size and speed of surface flow run offs.

Question 15

Evidence for building on floodplains impacting the local water cycle

Answer 15

Near Carlisle particularly, houses have been built on floodplains

Question 16

How does building on floodplains impact the local water cycle?

Answer 16

Flood risk to property has required the construction of flood defences to protect homes.
Building on floodplains can cause flooding downstream as water that would naturally infiltrate on the floodplains now flows downstream instead.

Question 17

Evidence for deforestation impacting the local water cycle

Answer 17

Deforestation has taken place in the basin for thousands of years -> provide land and timber for farming.
Much of original forest cover in Eden basin has now been removed

Question 18

How does deforestation impact the local water cycle?

Answer 18

Trees increase interception rates, significantly reducing risk of soil saturation and thus reducing overland flow rates.
Deforestation results in greater runoff rates, flashier hydrographs and risk of flooding.

Question 19

Evidence for climate change impacting the local water cycle

Answer 19

It’s estimated that parts of western UK could receive up to 35% more winter rainfall by 2080.

Question 20

How does climate change affect the local water cycle?

Answer 20

Would significantly increase runoff rates and flood risk.