Flood Management Flashcards
Benefits of dams and reservoirs
> store water & release it slowly (reduces flood risk)
drinking water from reservoir
reservoir water used to generate hydroelectric power
reservoirs are attractive
reservoirs can be used for recreation
Disadvantages of dams and reservoirs
> expensive
reservoir can flood existing settlements
eroded material deposited in reservoir and not along river’s natural course making farmland downstream less fertile
Benefits of channel straightening
> water doesn’t travel as far –>
water moves out of the area quicker —>
reduce flood risk
Disadvantages of channel straightening
> flooding may happen downstream (water carried there faster)
Benefits of man-made levees
> river channel can hold more water (reduces risk of flooding)
quite cheap
Disadvantages of man-made levees
> if they fail it could cause catastrophic flooding
Benefits of flood warnings
> impact is reduced
> give people time to move possessions upstairs, put sandbags in position, evacuate
Disadvantages of flood warnings
> don’t prevent the flood
> some people might not hear it/ don’t have access to warnings (LEDCs –> communications are less developed)
Benefits of preparation
> impact reduced
buildings less damaged
people know what to do
Disadvantages of preparation
> doesn’t guarantee safety
could give a false sense of security
expensive to modify homes & businesses
Benefits of flood plain zoning
> risk reduced > impermeable surfaces aren’t created
> impacts reduced > no houses/roads to damage
Disadvantages of food plain zoning
> expansion of urban area is limited if there are no other suitable building sites
no help in areas that are already built on
