1. Flood solutions – soft engineering strategies There is discussion about the costs and benefits of hard and soft engineering and debate about which is the better option

6. Land use management = flood plain zoning It restricts development – a problem when there is a shortage of housing It can’t be used in areas that are already urbanised There are no new buildings or roads on the flood plain to be damaged so the impact of any flooding is reduced It provides recreational opportunities Planning restrictions prevent buildings or roads being constructed on the flood plain. Use of the floodplain is restricted to things like playing fields, allotments or parks. More water can infiltrate grassy surfaces so there is less surface run off which reduces discharge and flooding Disadvantages Extra benefits How it works

7. Wetland and river bank conservation Less land is available for farming Vegetation protects against soil erosion Vegetation creates wildlife habitats Wetlands store flood water and also slow it down. This reduces flooding downstream. Conserving or re-establishing wetlands gives natural protection from flooding. Planting trees and shrubs along the river bank increases interception and lag time and reduces discharge. This also decreases flooding (= riparian buffers) Disadvantages Extra benefits How it works

8. River restoration Local flood risk can increase especially if nothing is done to prevent major flooding Little maintenance is needed as the river is left in its natural state The river provides a better habitat for wildlife Making the river more natural – e.g. by removing man made levees and allowing the river to flood naturally. As the water spreads out over the floodplain, the river’s discharge is reduced which reduces the flooding risk downstream Disadvantages Extra benefits How it works

12. How can the risk of flooding be reduced? Control LAND USE Stop people building on the floodplain Plant trees to increase interception and infiltration

13. Control land use

14. Homes On Stilts

15. Re-planting Trees

16. Flood protection *Dams *reservoirs *straighten channels *Dredging *levees and embankments *land use zoning *afforestation plenary The challenge: to talk for sixty seconds on one of the flood control measures without any hesitation, repetition or deviation.