(R) Hard engineering

Question 1

dams

Answer 1

• hold back the river
• form a reservoir behind it
• controls the amount of water let through it
• water can be used to generate electricity, for fields, and drinking water
• stores water, less risk of flooding
• expensive
• can flood existing settlements
• looks ugly
• damage is devastating if they break

Question 2

levees

Answer 2

• artificial mound beside a river
• raises the banks, increasing channel capacity
• stops water spreading
• blends into surroundings
• banks burst under extreme pressure
• water can flow over the top

Question 3

straighten channel

Answer 3

-line the river channel with concrete, straighten and deepen it

• moves water quicker through an area
• reduces friction
• river holds more water
• doesn’t look natural
• other areas have to deal with the water
• more erosion downstream

Question 4

flood relief channel

Answer 4

• an empty channel is dug
• gate opens and diverts water when a flood happens

-carries extra water away

• expensive
• often not needed
• unsightly

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hard engineering?

Answer 5

• often effective at stopping flooding
• can be implemented anywhere, no space for washlands needed
• expensive
• unsightly
• an extreme method
• causes problems elsewhere