Jubilee River Flood-Relief Channel - Paper 1 Flashcards
What river is there a relief channel for?
The River Thames.
Why was the scheme required?
This area of the Thames flood plain is low-lying and prone to flooding. Given the high-value property in this area, the EA decided to increase the level of flood protection. The impermeable surfaces of the built-up area have historically resulted in flooding following high rainfall events.
What high-value properties are in the Thames flood plain?
-The royal settlement of Windsor
-As well as Eton, home of a prestigious public school.
What measures were taken?
The Jubilee River was created to take water from the River Thames in times of high discharge following heavy rainfall.
Who was it funded by and how much did it cost?
Funded by the Environment Agency EA, and cost £110 million.
When did it open?
2002.
How long is it?
11.7km and 50m wide, it is the UK’s largest river channel.
What was it designed to look like and how was that managed?
It was designed to look like a natural river, so it has meanders and shallow reed beds, and a nature reserve with bird hides has been created in the area.
How many weirs (large dams) does it have?
5.
What are 2 social issues which arose from the scheme?
-It involved protecting some properties at the expense of others. 3000 properties were protected in Eton and Windsor, but to the detriment of less wealthy settlements in Old Windsor and Wraysbury.
-Paddle boaters had been promised a navigable river, however on 2 weirs they have to carry their boats around them and Taplow Weir is considered too dangerous to cross.
What are 2 economic issues which arose from the scheme?
-The most expensive flood-relief scheme in the UK. Yet one year after its completion, the weirs were damaged by floods. Maintaining the channel too is a huge economic burden (additional flood relief measures are required downstream)
-The EA ran short of funds. If further engineering is to alleviate flooding downstream, local councils and businesses will have to make up a £110 million
What are 3 environmental issues which arose from the scheme?
-In 2014, there was extensive flooding where the channel re-joined the Thames, Fields were inundated and habitats disturbed.
-Concrete weirs are unattractive
-Algae collects behind weird, this disrupts the natural ecosystem.
When did the channel cause serious flooding elsewhere?
2014
