In the past people responded to flooding by building 'hard' flood defences of concrete or metal. This approach could increase flood risk elsewhere. For example, building walls alongside a river may increase flood levels elsewhere in the catchment and the construction of groynes along the coast can restrict sediment transfer to other locations that are left more vulnerable to flooding.
Catchment Flood Management Plans and Shoreline Management Plans are being developed to ensure that river catchments or long sections of the coast are looked at as a whole to try and avoid this problem.
These plans identify how the chance and impact of floods can be reduced. This is known as flood risk management.
We can reduce the chance (probability) of floods happening by managing land, river systems and flood defences. We can reduce the impact (consequences) of flooding by discouraging development in areas at risk from flooding and by warning people when floods occur so that they can take action and be prepared.
Follow these links to find out what flood risk management involves in this catchment:
Bewdley Case Study: Flood Risk Management
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1 Comment
Iwan Bowen Rees
Guest
11:04 - 09/11/11
I think the way that Bewdley are thinking about othe places and not using hard emgineering strategies is fantastic !!!!
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