Flood management strategies

Hard engineering involves building artificial structures which try to control rivers.
Soft engineering does not involve building artificial structures, but takes a more
sustainable and natural approach to managing the potential for river flooding.

Task 1: Read through the descriptions of each of the flood management strategies,
and decide whether you think they are an example of hard or soft engineering
management.

Management Description Hard or Soft Advantages Disadvantages

Strategy Engineering

Embankments High banks built on or
near river banks
HARD Cheap with a one-off Looks unnatural.
engineering cost Water speeds up and can
Allows for flood water to increase flood risk
be contained within the downstream.
river. Flood water may go over the
top and get trapped behind
them
They can burst under
pressure.

Flood warnings The environmental
and agency monitors rivers
preparation and issues warnings via
newspapers, TV, radio
and the internet when
they are likely to flood so
people can prepare.
SOFT People have time to Some people may not be
engineering protect their properties, able to access the warnings.
eg with sandbags. Flash floods may happen too
Many possessions can quickly for a warning to be
be saved, resulting in effective.
fewer insurance claims. They do not stop land from
flooding - they just warn
people that a flood is likely.

Floodplain Allowing only certain land
zoning uses on the floodplain
reduces the risk of
flooding to houses and
important buildings.
SOFT More expensive Not always possible to
engineering buildings and land uses change existing land uses.
are further away from Planners have to decide
the river, so have a what type of flood to plan
reduced flood risk. for.
Less damage is caused,
leading to fewer
insurance claims.

Dams and A dam traps water, which
reservoirs builds up behind it,
forming a reservoir. Water
can then be released in
a controlled way.
HARD Can be used to produce Very expensive.
engineering electricity by passing the Dams trap sediment, which
water through a turbine means the reservoir can silt up
and hold less water.
within the dam.
Habitats are flooded, destroying
Reservoirs can attract
ecosystems and often leading
tourists. to rotting vegetation. This
releases methane which is a
greenhouse gas.

River Straightening the river
Straightening speeds up the water, so
and Dredging high volumes can pass
through an area quickly,
therefore reducing the
chances of a flood.
Dredging makes the river
deeper so it can hold
more water.
Afforestation Planting trees to establish
a woodland or forest.
Trees obstruct the flow of
water and slow down the
transfer to river channels.
Flood Relief ‘A man made river
Channels channel constructed to
by-pass an urban area.
Gates can be opened to
allow excess water to
flow away into the flood
relief channel and
reduces the threat of
flooding.
River If the course of a river has
Restoration been changed artificially,
river restoration is used to
return it to its original
course. It uses the natural
processes and features of
a river such as meanders
to slow down river flow
and reduce the likelihood
of a major flood
downstream.
Task 2) Answer the following questions
1) Describe the differences between hard and soft engineering
Settlements are lost leading to
the displacement of people. In
some countries locals are not
always consulted and have little
say in where they are relocated.
HARD More water can be held Dredging needs to be done
engineering in the channel. frequently.
It can be used to reduce Speeding up the river
flood risk in built-up increases flood risk
areas. downstream.
Improves the river as a
shipping route.
Silt from the river makes
an excellent fertiliser.
SOFT Provides economic Reduces farmland
engineering benefits, ie forestry.
Provides new ecological
habitats.
HARD Remove excess water Expensive to build.
engineering from the river channel to If water levels continue to
reduce flooding. rise, the relief channel may
also flood.
HARD Natural rivers are more Some flood banks are often
engineering attractive for recreation still needed
and create natural Changes in land use
habitats which benefit Flood risks can increase if
wildlife nothing is done along the
Little or no maintenance river
is required which makes
this a low-cost solution
 Hard engineering involves using artificial structures, such as dams and
embankments. Whereas, soft engineering is a more natural approach to
manage flooding such as floodplain zoning.

2) What are three advantages of using hard engineering strategies?

Protects the base of cliffs, land and buildings against erosion. They can
prevent coastal flooding in some areas.

3) What are three disadvantages of using hard engineering strategies?

- Tends to be more expensive
- Dams trap sediment which means the reservoir can hold less water
- Settlements are lost leading to the displacement of people.

4) What are three advantages of using soft engineering strategies?

- Less expensive
- Environmentally friendly
- Many possessions can be saved, resulting in fewer insurance claims.

5) What are three disadvantages of using soft engineering strategies?

- Flash floods may happen too quickly for a warning to be effective
- They do not stop land from flooding - they just warn people that a
flood is likely
- Some people may not be able to access the warnings

Challenge: Which is the better option, hard or soft engineering? Explain your
response

Exam Style Questions:

1) Explain how soft engineering can help to reduce the effects of river flooding
(4 marks)
Soft engineering can help reduce the effects of river flooding. Due to many
strategies such as flood warnings and preparations this is a warning which
helps to quickly evacuate people as soon as possible saving more lives,
moreover warnings can be seen on the internet, newspapers, TV, and radio.
Floodplain zoning allows only certain land uses on floodplains and reduces
the risk of flooding to houses and important buildings; this is good for the
economy as well as environment because less damage is caused, leading to
fewer insurance claims.