Pickering Beck⛵️ Flashcards
What is Pickering Beck?
A river in North Yorkshire
How does the geology affect flooding?
It consists on Gritstone and Limestone, permeable and porous allowing the water to flow through. Soil is also soft and sandy, so permeable, slow lag time.
When does the beck flood in particular?
In the Summer , flash flooding
How does the local relief affect flooding.
The drainage basin has steep relief in the hills of the North Yorkshire Moors, decreasing time taken to reach the river
How does the vegetation affect flooding?
Largely moorland shrubs and heather, growing in peat bogs which can soak up water, preventing run off and further flooding. If water is redirected for agriculture or forestry, peat dies out
What are the main land uses in the river catchment area?
Arable crops
Improved grassland
Heather moorland
Forestry and Woodland
How far does the beck run for?
29km (18 miles)
How has the town impacted flooding?
Impermeable surfaces increase run off rates
How have farming practices impacted the river?
Farming has lead to diffuse pollution, lowering the water quality
What was adopted to manage flooding?
A land management technique instead of hard defences
What was constructed at Newtondale?
A large low level bund to hold up to 120,000 m3 of water in flood events
What was planted around the river catchment?
19 hectares of hydrophilic plants such as alder and willow trees to create a natural barrier to flood flows
What was constructed in the river catchment?
Larger woody debris damns, and natural gullies to help water drain from moorlands into forests
How many ‘large woody debris damns’ have been constructed in Pickering Beck catchment?
129
How much farm woodland has been planted?
15 hectares
How many heather bale damns have been constructed?
187
Which government scheme was piloted in the town?
‘Slowing The Flow’
Why were no-burn zones established?
As burning has the potential to speed up run-off by lowering interception and promoting hydrophobic soil conditions
What has been created in terms of no-burn zones?
A 10 metre wide buffer zone along the main watercourse
Which National Park is the beck located in?
The North York Moors
Why is the river prone to flooding?
Due to the steep sided valley that the water runs off into the beck
When does the beck flood in particular?
In the summer, flash flooding
Ow much did the 2007 flood cost in damage?
£7 million
How can rainfall increase the chances of flooding?
Rainfall in the area is heavy as hydrography’s flashy. Pea discharges fluctuate
