THE HUMAN IMPACT

By Eric and Muhamed

Man-made modifications to catchment flows and storage
refer to human activities that alter the natural flow of water
within a watershed or catchment area. These modifications
can have significant impacts on the hydrological cycle and
the availability of water resources. Here are some common
man-made modifications:
Dams and Reservoirs:
● Dams are constructed to impound rivers and create reservoirs. They regulate water flow, store water for various
purposes like irrigation, drinking water supply, and electricity generation

A dam
Levees and Embankments:
● Levees and embankments are built along rivers and other water bodies to prevent flooding. While they protect
against floods, they can also alter natural drainage patterns.
Urbanization:
● The development of urban areas often involves extensive modifications to landscapes, including paving surfaces,
constructing buildings, and installing drainage systems. This can lead to increased runoff and changes in water flow
patterns
CATCHMENT FLOWS

the action of collecting water, especially the

collection of rainfall over a natural drainage
area.
"water catchment continues the whole year
round"
Causes and impacts of river floods
River floods result from a combination of natural and human-induced factors.
Natural causes include heavy rainfall, snowmelt, storm surges, and upstream
tributaries' overflow. Human activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, and
improper land management, contribute to increased runoff and reduced water
absorption, exacerbating flood risks. Impacts of river floods are widespread and
can be devastating. They include damage to infrastructure, displacement of
communities, loss of lives, destruction of agricultural land, contamination of water
sources, and economic setbacks. Floods can also lead to long-term
consequences, such as soil erosion and changes in river channel morphology.
Effective flood management strategies, including early warning systems, proper
land-use planning, and sustainable water resource management, are crucial to
mitigating the causes and minimizing the impacts of river floods.
The prevention and amelioration of river floods
~Forecast and warnings

~Hard engineering

~Soft engineering
Hard engineering
Soft engineering
Forecasts and Warnings