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GCSE Geography - AQA > River Hard Engineering Strategies > Flashcards

River Hard Engineering Strategies Flashcards

1
Q

What is hard engineering?

A

Hard engineering involves using artificial structures to defend against natural processes.

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2
Q

What is the aim of hard engineering?

A
  1. To control the flow of rivers.

2. To reduce flooding

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3
Q

The costs for hard engineering can be (social….

A

Social
Economic
Environmental

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4
Q

What is the hard engineering strategy that involves building a concrete barrier over a river channel, and flooding the land behind it?
What does flooding the land behind it create?

A

The hard engineering strategy that involves building a concrete barrier over a river channel is building a dam.

Flooding the land behind it creates a reservoir.

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5
Q

What is a dam?

A

A dam is a concrete barrier, built across a river channel.

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6
Q

What is a reservoir?

A

A reservoir is an artifical lake behind a dam.

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7
Q

How is a reservoir created?

A

A reservoir is created by flooding the land behind the dam.

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8
Q

What does the reservoir do?

water is stored inside this reservoir

A

With the reservoir…
River discharge is released from the reservoir….
It is released in a controlled way.

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9
Q

With a reservoir, river discharge is released in a __________ way, reducing the _____ ____.

A
  1. controlled
  2. flood risk

With a reservoir, river discharge is released in a controlled way, reducing the flood risk.

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10
Q

Is water stored inside the reservoir?

A

Yes. Water is stored inside this reservoir and can be released in a controlled way.

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11
Q

With a reservoir, what happens if river discharge is too high?

A

If river discharge is too high, less water is released.

This reduces the flood risk, because the river is less likely to reach its bankfull capacity and flood.

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12
Q

Name one case study showing the effects (Costs and benefits) of a Dam and Reservoir.

A

An example of a case study is the Kielder Dam and Reservoir.

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13
Q

Name three costs of using a dam as a hard engineering strategy, using the Kielder Dam and Reservoir as an example.
Try to include facts and figures.

A

Three of the costs include:

Expensive to build: It can be expensive.
This one had a cost of £167 million to build.

Flooding: Land and settlements need to be flooded (to make the reservoir).
This displaced 58 families.

Farmland fertility: Farmland is less fertile downstream. Downstream, the river is less likely to flood, so rivers are less likely to deposit their fertile silt onto farmer’s fields.

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14
Q

Name three benefits of a dam, using a case study - the Kielder Dam and Reservoir as an example.
Try to include the facts and figures.

A

HEP: Hydroelectric power can be generated as water is released, through the reservoir.
This powers 11,000 homes.

Tourism: Tourism to reservoirs is popular.
This provides £6 million annually.

Forestry provides jobs and new habitats.
It provided 200 new jobs.

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15
Q

What is channel straightening?

A

Meanders are removed from the channel, and the channel is made wider, deeper and straighter.

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16
Q

What does channel straightening allow, that reduces the risk of flooding?

A

Channel straightening allows river discharge to flow away from the area more quickly.
This helps reduce the risk of a flood.

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17
Q

To make the channel wider, straighter and deeper…

A

To make the channel wider, straighter and deeper…
Concrete needs to be added to the channel.
This is to hold it in place.

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18
Q

If you think of a channel straightening image…

by removing meanders…

A
  1. The channel becomes straighter.
  2. River discharge can flow faster.
  3. This is because there’s less chance that it will back up and flood within the meanders.
  4. This, means the river can hold more discharge.
  5. .. which means it is less likely to reach its bankfull capacity and flood.
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19
Q

How does channel straightening help to prevent flooding? (1)

A

By removing meanders in the river, it makes the channel wider, deeper and straighter.
This allows river discharge to flow away from the area more quickly.
This reduces the risk of a flood.

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20
Q

How does channel straightening help to prevent flooding? (2)

A

By removing meanders, the channel becomes straighter.
River discharge is able to flow faster.
This is because there is less chance that it will back up and flood within the meanders.
This, means the river can hold more discharge.
… which means it is less likely to reach its bankfull capacity, and flood.

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21
Q

Channel straightening allows _______ _________ to ____ _______ from the area more ______.

A

river discharge
flow away
quickly

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22
Q

Channel straightening allows _____ _________ to flow ______ because there’s less chance that it will back up and flood ______ the meanders….

This means the river can hold ____ _________, which means that it is less likely to reach its ________ ________ and flood.

A

river discharge
faster
within

river discharge
bankfull capacity
flood

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23
Q

Name an example of a Channel straightening case study.

A

The River Valency in Boscastle, Cornwall

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24
Q

Explain the channel straightening of the river there. (What was the cost of the plan? What happened to the river?)

A

In Boscastle, the river was made wider, deeper and straighter as part of a £10 million management plan.

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25
Q

Try and explain three benefits of channel straightening, using the River Valency scheme as an example.
(HIN)

A

Habitat: New habitats can be created to try and make it look natural (River Valency is an example).

Insurance: Reduced insurance costs for nearby houses and businesses. (There is able to be this reduction in insurance costs because this strategy reduces the chance of flood damage).

Navigation: Improved navigation. Navigation can improve in rivers that have been straightened, because the boats can navigate the river more easily.

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26
Q

Try and explain three costs of channel straightening, using the River Valency scheme as an example.
(FED)

A

Flooding: Flooding and erosion may happen downstream. (This can happen because the river discharge will flow faster into these areas. This can lead to and cause a back up of water, which can lead to a flood).

Expensive: Channel straightening is an expensive strategy. The River Valency was part of a £10 million management plan.

Damage: Damage to habitats in order to create the channel. (Habitats can be damaged to create the channel, especially when concrete gets added

27
Q

What are embankments?

A

Embankments are artifically raised river banks.
They deepen the channel.
This allows the capacity of the river to increase (this means the amount of water it can hold).
This reduces the flood risk.

28
Q

Embankments _____ the _____ of a river.

A

raise
banks

Embankments raise the banks of a river.

29
Q

What happens if the river discharge rises, on an embankment?

A

They contain the water within the channel, preventing a flood.

30
Q

When the river discharge rises, the embankments _______ the water within the channel, preventing a _____.

A

contain
flood

When the river discharge rises, the contain the water within the river channel, preventing a flood.

31
Q

What example of embankments is there in the UK?

A

York. There is an embankment in York.

32
Q

Try and explain three advantages of embankments, using some facts from York as an example.
(CCV)

A

Cycling and foot paths: Foot and cycle paths can be added to embankments. (This helps create an area for people to enjoy recreational activities).

Cost: It is cheaper to put in place, compared to other options. (Compared to other options, this could be more attractive).

Vegetation: Some embankments have also added vegetation. (So, some embankments are more natural looking and have added vegetation, which increases the habitats in the area).

33
Q

Try and explain three disadvantages of embankments, using some facts from York as an example.
(MVS)

A

Maintenance: Sometimes they have a high maintenance cost. (This means once built, they need funding to ensure they can continue to work safely).

View: Some people view them as unattractive.

Severity of flooding: The risk of flooding is severe, if breached. If the embankments breach or break when the river is in flood, a more severe flood may occur.

34
Q

What are flood relief channels?

A

They are artificial channels.
They divert river discharge away from risk areas (like a bypass).
They can be used to divert excess river discharge during periods of high rainfall, in order to prevent the river from reaching its bankfull capacity and flooding.

35
Q

During periods of high rainfall, flood relief channels can be used to ______ ______ _____ ________.

A

divert excess river discharge

During periods of high rainfall, flood relief channels can be used to divert excess river discharge.

36
Q

What is an example of a flood relief channel?

A

The River Exe, Exeter

37
Q

Try and explain three benefits of flood relief channels, using the case study facts from the River Exe.

(GIH)

A

Gates:
Gates on the channels allow controlled release of discharge. What this means is that the flood risk can be managed.

Insurance and Protection:
Insurance - Lower insurance costs are available to homes and businesses. Like with channel straightening, this is because the flood risk is reduced.
Protection - flood relief channels on the River Exe protect over 3000 properties.

New habitats:
Some flood relief channels do also contain new habitats.

38
Q

Try and explain three costs of flood relief channels, using the case study facts from the River Exe.

(FEL)

A

Flood risk:
There is a flood risk when discharge is released. When the discharge gets released, it could cause a flood if it has not been managed properly.

Expensive:
Build flood relief channels is expensive. The flood relief channels on the River Exe cost £8 million.

Land taken up/unattractive at low flow:
Takes up land - In order to build flood relief channels, it takes up a lot of land.
Unattractive - They can look unattractive at low flow.

39
Q

How many homes did the Kielder Dam and Reservoir generate hydroelectric power for?

A

11,000

It generated hydroelectric power for 11, 000 homes.

40
Q

Why is farmland less fertile downstream, when dams and reservoirs are built.

A

It is less fertile downstream of dams and reservoirs because:

  • Rivers are less likely to flood.
  • This means they’re less likely to deposit their fertile silt onto farmer’s fields.
41
Q

Channel straightening: What is a disadvantage of using concrete to hold channel straightening in place?

A

It links in with…

Habitat Damage:
There is damage to habitats to straighten the channel, especially when you add concrete.

42
Q

How much was the management plan for the River Valency - Channel straightening?

A

£10 million.
Expensive:
This links to why it is an expensive strategy. This is a cost.

43
Q

What is one of the economic benefits of channel straightening?

A

Reduction in insurance costs.
There are reduced insurance costs for nearby houses and businesses.
This is because the strategy - channel straightening - reduces the chance of flood damage.

44
Q

With _______ straightening, new ________ can be created to make the channel look natural.
An example of this is the River V_______.

A

channel
habitats
Valency

With channel straightening, new habitats can be created to make the river channel look natural. An example of this is the River Valency.

45
Q

With channel straightening, what is the negative impact it can have on habitats? (this relates to adding concrete).

A

Damage:
Damage to habitats in order to straighten the channel.
Habitats can be damaged, particularly when concrete is added.

46
Q

Embankments have a high _________ ____.

A

maintenance cost

Embankments have a high maintenance cost.

47
Q

Embankments can be viewed as ____________.

A

unattractive

Embankments can be viewed as unattractive

48
Q

Embankments: If they are breached, the risk of flooding is ______.

A

severe

Embankments: If they are breached, the risk of flooding is severe.

49
Q

Some embankments have added _________.

These embankments are the ones that are more natural looking

A

vegetation

Some embankments have added vegetation.
(These embankments are the ones that are more natural looking).

50
Q

Embankments are _______ to put in place compared to other options.

A

cheaper

Embankments are cheaper to put in place compared to other options.

51
Q

What can be added to embankments that helps to create an area for people to enjoy recreational activities?
(This was done in York).

A

Foot and cycle paths.
Foot and cycle paths can be added to embankments, which helps to create area for people to enjoy recreational activities.
This was done in York.

52
Q

Although embankments are _____ to put in place, as a benefit…
They can have a ____ ___________ cost.

A

cheap
high maintenance

Although embankments are cheap to put in place, as a benefit…
They can have a high maintenance cost.

53
Q

Flood relief channels have _____ to allow for the controlled release of discharge.
This means the flood risk can be managed.

A

gates

Flood relief channels have gates to allow for the controlled release of discharge.
This means the flood risk can be managed.

54
Q

Flood relief channels have gates.

What two things does this allow (links to the release of discharge and the flood risk management).

A

Flood relief channels have gates.
This allows:
- the controlled release of discharge
- means the flood risk can be managed

55
Q

Flood relief channels have an added benefit of _____ insurance costs, as well as property protection.

A

Lower

Flood relief channels have an added benefit of lower insurance costs.

56
Q

With flood relief channels the lower insurance costs are available to local homes and businesses.
This is because the ____ ____ is _______.

A

flood risk
reduced

With flood relief channels the lower insurance costs are available to local homes and businesses.
This is because the flood risk is reduced.

57
Q

Flood relief channels: How many properties do the river Exe flood relief channels protect?

A

> 3000 properties

The flood relief channels on the river Exe protect over 3000 properties.

58
Q

A benefit of flood relief channels is lower _________ _____ and p______ _________.

A

insurance costs
property protection

A benefit of flood relief channels is lower insurance costs and property protection.

59
Q

Some flood relief channels contain ___ ________.

A

new habitats

Some flood relief channels contain new habitats

60
Q

A disadvantage of flood relief channels to do with flood risk is…

A

There is a flood risk when discharge is released.

When discharge is released, it could cause a flood if it has not been managed properly.

61
Q

Are flood relief channels expensive?

A

Yes

62
Q

How much did the flood relief channels for the River Exe cost?

A

The flood relief channels for the River Exe cost £8 million.

63
Q

As a cost of flood relief channels, what is the effect on the land use?

A

In order to build flood relief channels, it takes up a lot of land.

64
Q

Flood relief channels can look ____________ at ___ ____.

A

unattractive
low
flow

Flood relief channels can look unattractive at low flow.

GCSE Geography - AQA (1 decks)

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