Hard and Soft engineering

• What is hard engineering in flood management?

  Using structures to control flood risks
• What improvements can be made to global flood warnings?

  • Improved rainfall and snowfall estimates
  • Better long-term rainfall forecasts
  • Enhanced gauging stations
  • Improved meteorological information and mapping
  • Timely sharing of information among agencies
  • Complete sharing of data across borders
  • Global sharing of technology
• What is the purpose of dams in flood management?

  To hold water back and control flooding
• How do dams help in flood control?

  They let a controlled amount of water flow
• What are some advantages of dams?

  Controls floods and improves irrigation
• What are some disadvantages of dams?

  They can disrupt the environment and habitats
• What are levees in flood management?

  Raised banks to prevent river flooding
• How do artificial levees function?

  They stop floodwaters from reaching areas
• What is a disadvantage of levees?

  They can increase water flow speed
• What is the cost of building levees?

  $1,100 per metre for 2m high
• What are wing dykes used for?

  To divert water flow in rivers
• What is a disadvantage of wing dykes?

  They can increase flooding risk elsewhere
• What is the purpose of straightened channels?

  To allow high volumes of water to pass quickly
• What is a disadvantage of straightened channels?

  They can increase flooding downstream
• What do flood relief channels do?

  They relieve pressure on main river channels
• What is a disadvantage of flood relief channels?

  They can also flood during severe floods
• What are embankments in flood management?

  Raised banks made of impermeable soil
• What is an advantage of embankments?

  They increase river capacity before flooding
• What is a disadvantage of embankments?

  They require continuous monitoring and repairs
• What is hard resistant design in flood management?

  Flood proofing buildings to reduce damage
• What are the methods of soft engineering in flood management?

  • Working with natural features
  • Flood abatement: decreasing surface runoff
  • Flood diversion: allowing certain areas to flood
  • Methods include:
  • Reforestation
  • Reseeding sparsely vegetated areas
  • Terracing or contour ploughing
  • Clearing sediment from streams
  • Constructing small water holding areas
  • Preserving natural water storage zones
• How does flood diversion benefit the environment?

  It creates habitats and reduces economic flooding
• What is the purpose of flood relief channels?

  To transport water away from developed areas
• What is a method of reducing surface runoff?

  Reforestation and reseeding areas
• How does flood diversion work?

  It allows water to flood wetlands safely
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of hard engineering strategies?

  Advantages:

  • Controls floods
  • Improves irrigation
  • Aids navigation
  • Generates hydroelectric power

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Disrupts environment
  • Removes habitats
  • Expensive to build
  • Not aesthetically pleasing
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of soft engineering strategies?

  Advantages:

  • Works with natural features
  • Reduces surface runoff
  • Creates habitats

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • May not be as immediately effective
  • Requires land for implementation