Flood_embankment

Flood embankment

Flood embankment

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A flood embankment is traditionally an earth wall used to shore up flood waters.

Most flood embankments are between 1 metre and 3 metres high. A 5-metre-high (16 ft) flood embankment is rare.[1]

Modern improvements to this design include constructing an internal central core made from impermeable substance like clay or concrete, some even use metal pilings.[2]

Some authorities call man-made structures levees.

Problems

More information Animation of types of floodwall failures ...
More information The main problem is the space required to construct and maintain such a structure. A flood embankment of 2.5 metres high requires an outreach of 15 metres, which makes it unsuitable in some areas. To prevent seepage through the embankment a central core is added to acquire stability and integrity. ...

Examples

Clifton, Rawcliffe, Poppleton and Leeman ings in York

River Gowan, Cumbria

River Trent

Animation

This is an animation showing a flood event overwhelming neighbouring properties and the added construction of a flood embankment and flood warning and protection status.

References

  1. [1]
    "Chapter 9". evidence.environment-agency.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  2. [2]
    "Chapter 9". evidence.environment-agency.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
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This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Flood_embankment, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.