FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

Floods occur when a river carries so much water that it

cannot be contained by its banks and so it overflows on to
surrounding land its floodplain.

Copy and complete the thought-shower hand out - with

explanatory notes for each of the causes.

L.O.1 what are the causes of flooding?

FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

Copy and complete the thought-shower - with explanatory
notes for each of the causes.

Books
Understanding GCSE
geog p.86+87+ AQA
Geog A p.109

L.O.1 what are the causes of flooding?

FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

Precipitation is where water is transferred from the
air to the ground eg rain/snow
Discharge is simply the amount of water in a river
channel at any given time.
Discharge can be affected by both physical and
human factors.
Task
Match the heads and tails.

L.O.2 how do hydrographs show the link

between precipitation and discharge?

Answers to heads and tails

Size and shape of river basin the steeper the slopes the quicker the water
will reach the river, increasing discharge. The gentler the slope the longer it
takes to reach the river so discharge will increase more slowly.
Types of rainfall heavy, long periods of rain result in a greater river
discharge.
Snowfall melting as temperatures rise so snow melts and will increase
river discharge as melted snow enters river systems
Vegetation high rates of evapotranspiration reduces the amount of water
in rivers; also roots of trees take up water from the ground.
High temperatures reduces river discharge due to higher rates of
evaporation
Geology (rock types) impermeable rocks (doesnt let water through)
increases the amount of discharge; whereas in areas of permeable rock it
takes longer for water to reach the river so there is less discharge.
Urbanisation as towns and cities develop with concrete, tarmac fewer
trees so water gets into rivers quicker; increasing discharge

FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

One way of measuring river discharge is a
Hydrograph.

L.O.2 how do hydrographs show the link between precipitation

and discharge?

FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

Answers : (a) (i) A = 3 hours B = 5 hours
(b) A = relief could be steep and impermeable
question
2 page
from
rockComplete
which causes
rainfall
to run87into
rivers
the /big
GCSE
quickly
could
alsobook.
be in a town or city where
rainfall runs off tarmac and concrete into
drainage systems quickly.
B = more gentler slopes and maybe permeable
allowing rainwater to soak through making the
time it takes to reach the river longer / could be
forested which delays the time water gets into
rivers, etc.

L.O.2 how do hydrographs show the link between precipitation

and discharge?

FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

Whilst watching the programme on
flooding in the back of your books
make simple / quick notes that will
help you answer the question:What are the social, economic and
environmental effects of flooding?

L.O.3 How can we manage and/or reduce the effects of flooding?

FLOODING CAUSE AND EFFECTS

L.O.3 How can we manage and/or reduce the effects of flooding?