River Management Flashcards
Name some hard river defences
Dams, flood relief channels, flood walls and embankments
Name the soft river defences
Floodplain zoning, warning systems, afforestation and washland
What is a dam and give an advantage and disadvantage
Used to control discharge as the dam holds back water then releases it controllably.
Adv, water in reservoir can be used for hydroelectric power
Disadvantage, settlements and farm lost get lost for the reservoir and sediment is trapped behind the da, wall leading to further erosion downstream
What is a flood relief channels and give an advantage and disadvantage
Where the channel course of a river is altered to divert floods from settlements
Adv. people living close to the river can be safer
Disadvantage, it’s expensive
What is a flood wall and give an advantage and disadvantage
A vertical barrier made of prefabricated concrete
Adv, good for areas where space is limited
Disadvantage, has to be assembled well so water doesn’t get into the joints
What are embankments and give an advantage and disadvantage
Raised banks along a river
Adv, can be used as a path for pedestrians
Disadvantage, can be ugly and spoil scenery
What is floodplain zoning and give an advantage and disadvantage
Where local authorities introduce policies to avoid building on floodplains
Adv, cheap and sustainable
Disadvantage, could be hard in LICs and places short of housing
What is a warning system and give an advantage and disadvantage
Sirens used to warn people of floods through electronics like mobiles and TVs
Adv, cheap and is effective
Disadvantage, there may not be enough time for people to prepare
What is afforestation and give an advantage and disadvantage
Where trees are planted in the catchment area to slow down the flow of water to a river (interception)
Adv, it’s cheap
Disadvantage, can spoil the view of the natural landscape
What is a washland and give an advantage and disadvantage
Where rivers naturally flood a wasteland to prevent flooding elsewhere like a settlement
Adv, it’s cost effective and may produce farm land
Disadvantage, leaves large areas of land unbuildable
