Investigate the flood event using these activities - you could do so individually, or share the main tasks around a group:
- Investigate the hydrology of the flood
- Investigate the meteorology of the flood
- Investigate land use and the options for flood management
Finish by together completing the concept map activity. You may also choose to do some of the extension activities.
Activity resources:
Use the resources to follow these investigations:
- Annotate the hydrograph to show you understood these terms: rising limb, falling limb, peak flow rate, lag time, antecedent flow rate.
- Read the text: What was the hydrology of the January 2005 flood? and run the animation. Then add text boxes to the hydrograph with brief notes about key aspects of the flooding - use the dates on the hydrograph to help you.
- The peak flow was recorded as 1520 m3/s near Carlisle. Check you understand the meaning of return period and annotate that information on your hydrograph.
Extend your work:
- Why do you think the peak flow of 1520 m3/s does not show on this hydrograph?
- Use the flood map to estimate the area of Carlisle flooded by this peak flow in January 2005. Then add a note with details of the extent of the flood to your annotated hydrograph.
Activity resources:
Use the resources to follow these investigations:
- Use textboxes or callouts to annotate the hydrograph using notes taken from what caused the heavy rainfall? (use the dates to help you).
- Check the synoptic charts to find the different low-pressure systems and fronts which caused the extreme conditions and link this information to the timeline on your hydrograph. The satellite images may help you.
- Produce a short summary of how the rainfall sequence between 6 and 8 of January links to the flood event at Carlisle.
Extend your work:
Open these resources and add details to your notes:
Activity resources:
Use the resources to follow these investigations:
- On the map of the flood hazard zone or map of the flooded area, identify land uses which are appropriate and inappropriate for an area at risk of flooding - annotate a copy of the map.
- Read the assessment of flood risk and add to your map some details of the risk in Carlisle (look at the Carlisle-Carlisle row).
- Study the aerial photo of the planned flood defences - which land uses will be protected?
Extend your work:
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