Water and Carbon Cycles (Case Study) The Eden Basin

Question 1

Where is the Eden River?

Answer 1

Eden drainage basin, north-west England, drains north-east Lake District fells and north-west Pennines

Question 2

Where is the source of the Eden River?

Answer 2

Pennine hills in south Cumbria.

Question 3

Where is the mouth of the River Eden?

Answer 3

Solway Firth, Scottish border

Question 4

Why is Carlisle vulnerable to flooding?

Answer 4

Confluence of Eden, Petteril and Caldew rivers, Carlisle is also low-lying and relatively flat

Question 5

What is the rock type on the high ground?

Answer 5

Igneous rock, which is impermeable

Question 6

What is the geology of much of the Eden basin?

Answer 6

Sandstone and limestone, which is permeable.

Question 7

How has farming affected the flood risk in the Eden basin?

Answer 7

More intense farming has compacted soils, decreasing infiltration and increasing surface runoff.
Between 2000 and 2009 there had been a 30% increase in the number of cattle in the Eden valley.

Question 8

How has construction had an impact on flooding risk?

Answer 8

Many new housing estates around Carlisle, more impermeable surfaces increasing runoff and river levels.
Eden Gate development to north of city and ‘garden village’ plans to the south, 10,000 new homes

Question 9

What affect could climate change have on Western UK?

Answer 9

Could experience 35% more rainfall by 2080

Question 10

What were the impacts of Storm Desmond?

Answer 10

Record rainfall in Shap village, 262.6mm of rainfall in 48 hours between 4th and 6th of December
More than 2000 properties were flooded in Carlisle, many people were left homeless