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14 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Hard engineering |
Man-made structures built to control the flow of rivers and reduce flooding. |
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Soft engineering |
schemes set up using knowledge of a river and its processes to reduce the effects of flooding. |
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Hard Dam and reservoirs - what is it? |
Dams (huge walls) are built across the rivers, usually in the upper course.
A reservoir (artificial lake) is formed behind the dam. |
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Benefits? |
- Reservoirs store water, especially during periods of prolonged or heavy rain, reducing the risk of flooding. - The water in the reservoir can be used as drinking water and to generate hydroelectric power (HEP). |
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Disadvantages? |
- Dams are very expensive to build. Creating a reservoir can flood existing settlements.
- Eroded material is deposited in the reservoir and not along the river's natural course so downstream can become less fertile. |
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Hard engineering Channel straightening - what is it? |
The river's course is straightened - meanders are cut out by building artificial straight channels. |
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Benefits? |
Water moves out of the area more quickly because it doesnt travel as far - reducing the risk of flooding. |
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Disadvantages? |
- flooding may happen downstream instead, as water is carried there faster. - there's more erosion downstream because the water's flowing faster. |
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Soft Flood warnings - what is it? |
The environment agency warns people about possible flooding through TV, radio, newspapers and the internet. |
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Benefits? |
The impact of flooding is reduced - warnings give people time to move possessions upstairs, put sandbags in position and to evacuate |
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Disadvantages? |
- warnings don't stop a flood from happening. - people may not hear or have access to the warnings. |
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Soft Preparation - what is it? |
Buildings are modified to reduce thr amount of damage a flood could cause. People make plans for what to do in a flood - keep items like torches + blankets in a handy place |
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Benefits? |
- Impact of flooding is reduced - buildings are less damaged and people know what to do when a flood happens. - people are less likely to worry about the threat of floods. |
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Disadvantages? |
- Doesnt gurantee safety from a flood and it give people a false sense of security. - It's expensive to modify homes and businesses |
