Pickering Beck Case Study

Question 1

Where is Pickering Beck?

Answer 1

In the north east of England near Leeds, York and Middlesborough

Question 2

How big is Pickering?

Answer 2

It’s a small market town occupant to around 7000 people

Question 3

When did the beck flood?

Answer 3

In 1999, 2000 and 2007

Question 4

On an economic scale how badly did the 2007 flood affect Pickering?

Answer 4

It resulted in an estimated £2.1 Billion damage to both industries and residents

Question 5

How big is the catchment area of Pickering Beck?

Answer 5

68Km^2 , consisting of steep valleys and water grains from the North Yorkshire moors

Question 6

What stone does the water flow over?

Answer 6

Gritstone, Limestone and peat

Question 7

What was the average discharge in 1973?

Answer 7

13 cumecs

Question 8

What was the average discharge in 2002?

Answer 8

40 cumecs

Question 9

What does the gritstone mean for the water flow?

Answer 9

It causes large amounts of surface runoff due to being impermeable

Question 10

What does the Limestone and peat mean for the water flow?

Answer 10

It causes large amounts of infiltration and saturation which in turn causes more groundwater flow

Question 11

What is the relief of the Pickering beck catchment area?

Answer 11

There is a steep relief generally with steep valleys

Question 12

What does the relief mean for the water flow?

Answer 12

There is large surface runoff as there is no time for infiltration

Question 13

What does the vegetation type do for the water flow?

Answer 13

The peat and heather holds up the water meaning there is a larger build up of water before a sudden break, like a sponge

Question 14

How has agriculture contributed to the flooding?

Answer 14

The moorlands are used for arable farming which involves cultivating the land. this cultivation means there is more infiltration and hence more ground water flow

Question 15

How has making troughs and peaks for farming contributed to the flooding?

Answer 15

The channels created serve as a easy route for the water to take and hence increases surface runoff

Question 16

How has pastoral farming increased the risk of flooding?

Answer 16

Livestock reduce the amount of vegetation on the moorland which in term leads to more infiltration

Question 17

How has the management of the moorlands added to the increased chance of flooding?

Answer 17

The moorlands have been managed to move the water as quickly as possible

Question 18

What is once way the moorlands have been managed?

Answer 18

Through the use of grips, which are long trenches used to move the water quickly

Question 19

How has the local Cropton forest planted in 1960 contribute to flooding?

Answer 19

When planted drainage channels were built in to move the water to the stream and to the trees

Question 20

What are the three objectives of the management strategies newly put in place?

Answer 20

1. Slow the water at the top
2. Store the water in the middle
3. Improve the quality of water at the bottom

Question 21

What is an example where soil bunds were placed?

Answer 21

Newtondale, that can hold up to 120,00m^3

Question 22

What is Riparian woodland?

Answer 22

Woodland that is hydrophilic such as willow and alder, take up water when they are flooded

Question 23

What plan is put in place for the Riparian woodland?

Answer 23

To place around 50 hectares alongside the river

Question 24

What were restored to reduce the flow of water in the top of the catchment?

Answer 24

Woodland dams, to date 129 have been restored

Question 25

How were grips managed?

Answer 25

Grips and moorland drainage are being blocked to recede the surface runoff

Question 26

How was the moorland vegetation managed?

Answer 26

There was a ban on the burning of moorland meaning that it can hold the water up more so