Case Study: The 2001 Missisipi river flood (T. A) Flashcards
When did it happen?
2001
How much people were displaced from there homes?
4,400
How much people does this river supply water for?
18 million
How much damage did it cost?
13 Million USD
How High were the levees and how long were they built along the river?
15m high.
3000km along river.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the levees built.
Partially blamed for floods as they protected the area they were built in but pushed flood downstream.
After flood, silt deposited on river bed instead of floodplain which caused normal water levels to ride higher than the normal.
Parts of New Orelans lay 4.3m below river level, increasing the risk of flood damage.
How much dams were built on tributaries?
Over 100
Evaluate the effectiveness of the dams built.
Same trap silt which prevents it reaching the delta so birds such as the heron are endangered there. It also enriches farm land which causes more fertiliser to have to be used.
How far was the channel straightened by engineers?
1750km
Evaluate the effectiveness of straightening the channel.
River lost variety of habitats for plants , fish and insects.
River erodes bank to resume natural meandering course, causing the straightening to be a waste of time and money.
Where did the afforestation occur?
Tennessee Valley
Where were the safe flooding zones?
Rock island and Illinois
