W&C: Eden Basin

Question 1

Where is the Eden drainage basin?

Answer 1

North-west England between the mountains of the Lake District and the Pennines.

Question 2

Where is the River Eden’s source?

Answer 2

In the Pennine hills in the south Cumbria.

Question 3

Where does the River Eden flow through?

Answer 3

Appleby-in-Westmorland and Carlisle.

Question 4

Where is the mouth of the River Eden?

Answer 4

Solway Firth at the Scottish border.

Question 5

Describe the basin of the River Eden:

Answer 5

• Largely rural, although does run through Carlisle.
• Upland areas experience extreme weather causing flooding downstream.

Question 6

Why is Carlilse particularly vulnerable to flooding?

Answer 6

It is at the confluence of the Eden, Petteril and Caldew rivers.

It is also low-lying.

Question 7

Give 3 characteristics of the Eden Basin:

Answer 7

1. Higher than average rainfall due to mountainous terrain encourage orographic rain.
2. Long & relatively narrow, increasing lag time.
3. Steep slopes within basin - reduces lag time & increasing peak discharge.

Question 8

What different types of rock make up the Eden Basin?

Answer 8

• Highest ground = igneous rocks that are impermeable.
• Majority of basin = limestone & sandstone that are permeable.

Question 9

What land use changes have affected the Eden Basin’ water cycle?

Answer 9

Farming

Construction

Deforestation

Question 10

How has farming affected the Eden Basin?

Answer 10

• 2000-2009 there was a 30% increase in cattle in the Eden Valley = compacts the soil and reduces infiltration.
• Grazing of sheep also reduces vegetation + interception.
• Results in increased flood risk.

Question 11

How has construction increased the risk of flooding in the Eden Basin?

Answer 11

• Urbanisation reduces infiltration rates, eg Eden Gate development
• Increased size and speed of surface runoff flows
• Housing developments, eg. Carlisle, built on floodplains = increased flood risk and flooding downstream

Question 12

How has deforestation affected the Eden Basin?

Answer 12

• Original forest cover mostly removed
• Increases flood risk

Question 13

How might climate change affect the Eden Basin?

Answer 13

Predicted western UK could get up to 35% more winter rainfall by 2080 = massive flood risk

Question 14

Name a storm that affected the Eden Basin:

Answer 14

Storm Desmond, December 2015

Question 15

What were the affects of Storm Desmond?

Answer 15

• Appleby-in-Westmorland + Carlisle experienced bad flooding
• Record rainfall across Cumbria - Shap (village) had 262.6mm rain in 48 hours.