In the article “Natural Engineering offers solutions against future flooding”, it was stated that there are solutions inspired by nature which can prevent flooding in areas affected due to an increased rate of water flow upstream (Newcastle University, 2014). One example of this solution implemented in Belford shows how this natural flood management scheme can be applied in other areas around the UK where flooding is prevalent. The scheme is an effective method to prevent flooding in low lying areas by altering the natural flow pathways and reducing the runoff from the land. Managing the downstream flow gives people more time to prepare in the event a flood occurs. This also reduces pollution by adverting phosphorus and nitrates from being washed off the land. The scheme uses soft engineering solutions to prevent flooding by storing water, increasing soil infiltration, increasing resistance to water flow or redirecting water. Implementation of the natural flood management systems can be significantly cheaper as compared to conventional flood management systems.
Overall This Science daily news release provides information on what has been done to solve the flooding problem by using natural solutions. The article has substantial evidence from the previous trial to prove the success of the engineering solution. However, just applying the same concept to another location does not promise success as there could be underlying factors that differ such results.
Eventhough Belford is not unique, no one place is exactly the same to another. Due to this, such implementation of the scheme does not promise success.
In addition, the Belford scheme was able to work due to the support of the town people. This might not be applicable in all the towns and areas.
The study conducted in Belford was stated that “Belford is not unique”, there is no evidence that other areas are exactly similar to Belford. For the solution to work, each area has to be very similar to Belford. As there are no two places exactly the same, implementation of the solution to other areas can result in a different outcome. There has to be a study in other areas to prove that the solution is viable in other areas. “The effectiveness of dredging varies substantially on every stretch of river and we assess it on a location-by-location basis.” (Hugget,2016). As mentioned by, each stretch of the river can be very different from one another. Many factors such as location, soil management and the population of the town can all affect the natural management solution. In addition, Huggett states that “Just like all flood risk management methods, natural flood management is not suitable in all places. It can exacerbate flooding if implemented in the wrong way and in the wrong place.”
Also, farmers and landowners are not all opened to the idea as there such amount of water coming from the flood could destroy crops and cut them off from their land. “until there’s a market for green farming that helps reduce flood risk […] landowners and farmers are always going to think twice about natural flood management initiatives.”- Cloke (2018). For the farmers and landowners, pledging to sacrifice their land for natural flood management prohibits them from fully utilising when they are able to.
In my opinion, to prevent making the flood crisis worse, the solution is to combine natural and structural engineering on a case by case basis for each town or affected area. By understanding the environment around a specific area and their rivers, the right amount of engineering solution and funding can be placed to prevent such catastrophes in the future.
Therefore, the Natural Engineering solution will not solve all the flooding problems but combining it with other engineering solutions, it will be able to prevent future flooding crisis.
Bibliography:
Newcastle University. “Natural engineering offers solution against future flooding” ScienceDaily, 28 January 2014 www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/14012809453
Duncan Huggett, Environment Agency UK, ”What are natural flood defenses and do they work?” , 11 November 2016https://www.countryfile.com/news/blog/what-are-natural-flood-defences-and-do-they-work/
Ashley Kirk, Telegraph UK, “What is Britain doing to tackle flooding in the face of extreme weather?” ,28 March 2018https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/23/britain-tackle-flooding-face-extreme-weather/
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