Rivers are very dynamic. During normal flow they transport water and sediment (a

Question

Rivers are very dynamic. During normal flow they transport water and sediment (among other things) downstream. During times of flooding, a river will expand its banks both eroding and depositing sediment in the floodplains (land that sits on either side of the channel). Humans have settled these floodplain areas because of the fertile soils and proximity to the river (for transportation and other resources). Then over time we have tried to control the rivers to prevent flooding through the use of levees, floodwalls, etc. These structures can actually increase flooding of areas downstream that are not protected by flood-control structures. Construction of flood control structures has been controversial with much of the debate happening after a flooding event (the broken levees from Hurricane Katrina, flooding along the Mississippi River, etc).

Do you thinking we should be “controlling” rivers with flood-control structures, or should we be taking a different approach? What strategies should be used for cities that can’t afford flood-control structures?

Explanation / Answer

Flood control refers to the methods used for reduces or preventing the flood waters. Flooding damages property and put the lives of human and other species in danger. the rapid flow of water runoff will cause soil erosion and sediment deposition somewhere. the spawning grounds for fish and other wildlife habitats can become polluted or destroyed. some high floods can close the traffic in the areas which doesnot have elevated roads. Floods can interfere with drainage and economic use of lands, like farming. stuctural damage can also occur in bridges, banklines, sewerlines etc. Hydrothermal power and waterway navigation are often goes into financial losses due to floods which costs millions of dollars each year. So, flood control system like construction of levees, dikes, reservoirs or retension ponds are constructed to hold extra water during times of flooding.

cities which can't afford flood -control structures can also reduce the affect of flow of water and can reduce their flow during flooding. There are so many methods which were used in ancient times and still practiced they include planting vegetation to retain extra water, terracing hillsides to slow down the flow along the downhill. Other defencing structure are levees which are artificial embankments alonside the river, bunds a kind of breakwaters to reduce the flow of water. A weir also called lowhead dam most ofen used. During the emergency times even the sandbags or portable inflatable tubes are used. The population staying around the rivers during flooding to be vacated or the low lying area should be vacated during flooding time.

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