River Landscapes and Processes- Flooding Flashcards
Flash floods
Floods that happen without warning
5 physical causes of flooding
Prolonged rainfall, heavy rainfall, snow melting, rocks, relief
Prolonged rainfall causing flooding?
Long period of rain, soil saturated, more runoff, increases discharge quickly
Relief causing flooding?
Steep valleys, water reaches the channel quickly, increases discharge quickly
Heavy rainfall causing flooding?
Increase in surface runoff, increase discharge
Snowmelt causing flooding?
Lots of snow melt, lots of water in river quickly, increases discharge quickly
Rocks causing river floods?
Impermeable rocks, no percolation, more runoff, increases discharge
5 Human causes of flooding
Urbanisation, agriculture, industry, deforestation, drainage systems
Urbanisation causing flooding?
Change in land use, impermeable materials, no infiltration, more runoff, increase discharge quickly
Agriculture causing flooding?
More farming, less vegetation, less interception, more runoff, increases discharge quickly
Industry causing flooding?
Factories at river mouth
Impermeable surfaces, more run off, risk of flooding
Deepen river for boats, increase capacity, less floods
Deforestation causing flooding?
Trees removed for industry, urbanisation etc, less interception, increases discharge quickly
Drainage systems causing flooding?
Water flowing straight to river, increased discharge, more risk of floods
2 Social effects of flooding
Loss of life due to drowning
Damage to houses and belongings
2 Environmental effects of flooding
Shortage of food from flooded farmland
Contamination of fresh water supplies