Hard And Soft Engineering

Question 1

What is hard engineering?

Answer 1

Building artificial structures aimed at controlling natural processes

Question 2

What is soft engineering?

Answer 2

Working with the natural river system without changing its course

Question 3

Are dams and reservoirs hard or soft engineering?

Answer 3

Hard engineering

Question 4

Advantages of dams?

Answer 4

Protects downstream areas from flooding.

They are multi-purpose, as they are Alain a water supply with electricity generation (HEP)

Question 5

Disadvantages of dams + reservoirs?

Answer 5

Expense

Reservoir may flood farmland, forest, towns and villages and cities - result in relocation

Question 6

River straightening?

Answer 6

Hard -
Water is discharged form high risk areas
Lower flood risk

Expense
Water reach downstream area quicker increasing downstream flood risk
River will meander in time

Question 7

Flood walls, embankments?

Answer 7

Hard -
Increase height of channel stopping water on floodplain.

Levee could collapse, creating more devastating flood
Prevent natural draining of water

Question 8

Do nothing?

Answer 8

Soft -
No cost
No harm to environment

No protection from flooding

Question 9

Flood forecasting and warning systems?

Answer 9

Soft -
Cheaper
No harm to environment
Save lives, allowing for preparation

Some may not be warned
No prevention of flooding - damage occur

Question 10

Flood plain zoning?

Answer 10

Soft -
Cheaper
Environmentally friendly

River still flood
Most flood plains have already been built on