Floods

Question 1

What are floods?

Answer 1

A flood is when a river bursts its banks and overflows

Question 2

Name some physical causes of flooding

Answer 2

Heavy rainfall
Soggy soils-no more infiltration 
Impermeable rock- water can’t pass through 
Steep slopes- less infiltration 
More surface runoff

Question 3

Name some human causes of flooding

Answer 3

Built up areas means less infiltration and more surface run off
Loss of tress-trees intercept rainfall
Building on the floodplain- these areas are easy to build on but they flood naturally

Question 4

Name some positive effects of flooding

Answer 4

Distribute rich sediment, returning nutrients to the soil
Allow new vegetation to grow on eroded river banks
Provides new habitats to river organisms
The surrounding soil may receive a boost in fertility allowing new plants to grow

Question 5

Name some negative effects of flooding

Answer 5

Loss of community resources and facilities
Loss of possession
People are left homeless
Shoos and homes would need repairing that would take months
Huge loss of trade

Question 6

How could you prevent flooding

Answer 6

Reduce the amount of water in the river( build a damn )
Plant trees( although they take years to grow )
Increase the capacity of the river
Deepen the river by digging out the channel
Add embankments or levees