Podcast
Questions and Answers
Match the following flood mechanisms with their descriptions:
Match the following flood mechanisms with their descriptions:
Snowmelt runoff = Water from melting snow exceeding river capacity Storm rainfall = Intense precipitation overwhelming drainage systems Rain on snow = Combination of rainfall and snowmelt leading to increased runoff Ice jams = Accumulation of ice restricting water flow, causing flooding
Match the following terms with their definitions in the context of flooding:
Match the following terms with their definitions in the context of flooding:
Discharge = Volume of water crossing a point in a river channel at a given time River banks = High part of the river channel that confines water to the channel Floodplain = Low area beside a river channel that occasionally floods Floodway = A channel built to divert floodwaters
Match each Canadian city to a year it experienced flooding:
Match each Canadian city to a year it experienced flooding:
Calgary = 2013 Edmonton = 2004 Winnipeg = 1950 Montreal = 2017
Match the following cities with their corresponding province:
Match the following cities with their corresponding province:
Match the following terms related to flood preparedness with their associated rating from the University of Waterloo study:
Match the following terms related to flood preparedness with their associated rating from the University of Waterloo study:
Match the following actions with the corresponding reason why they are NOT always done appropriately to prevent floods:
Match the following actions with the corresponding reason why they are NOT always done appropriately to prevent floods:
Match the following structural flood prevention techniques with their descriptions:
Match the following structural flood prevention techniques with their descriptions:
Match the following flood-proofing measures with their function:
Match the following flood-proofing measures with their function:
Match the terms with the descriptions:
Match the terms with the descriptions:
Match each of the following hydrograph features with their descriptions:
Match each of the following hydrograph features with their descriptions:
Match the hydrograph type with where you might expect to find it (or not find it):
Match the hydrograph type with where you might expect to find it (or not find it):
Match the city and year with the maximum discharge experienced:
Match the city and year with the maximum discharge experienced:
Match the statistical measure with the appropriate description:
Match the statistical measure with the appropriate description:
Match the element used in calculating flood size with the description:
Match the element used in calculating flood size with the description:
Match the city with the issue:
Match the city with the issue:
Match the problem of data handling with the description:
Match the problem of data handling with the description:
Match the city, area or river with the special consideration:
Match the city, area or river with the special consideration:
Match the goal with an action the City of Calgary has taken:
Match the goal with an action the City of Calgary has taken:
Match the term with the definition:
Match the term with the definition:
Match the item with its speed:
Match the item with its speed:
Match the weather events with those that cause less death:
Match the weather events with those that cause less death:
Match the term with its appropriate meaning:
Match the term with its appropriate meaning:
Match the term with its description:
Match the term with its description:
Match the conditions for builders with outcomes:
Match the conditions for builders with outcomes:
Match the place for planning done right with the activity.
Match the place for planning done right with the activity.
Match the item with how it can be used to avoid disaster:
Match the item with how it can be used to avoid disaster:
Match the terms describing basins.
Match the terms describing basins.
Match the term with the amount of water.
Match the term with the amount of water.
Match the prevention item and effect:
Match the prevention item and effect:
Match the dam question with result:
Match the dam question with result:
Match the description:
Match the description:
Match the place with the activity:
Match the place with the activity:
Match the term with the effect:
Match the term with the effect:
Match the term with description during Calgary AB flood:
Match the term with description during Calgary AB flood:
Match the term with issue during the flood:
Match the term with issue during the flood:
Match the term with issue during the 2015 flood:
Match the term with issue during the 2015 flood:
Match the special flood consideration to term:
Match the special flood consideration to term:
Match the term with its definition in the context of flooding:
Match the term with its definition in the context of flooding:
Match the flood mechanism with its description:
Match the flood mechanism with its description:
Match the city with a reason it is prone to flooding:
Match the city with a reason it is prone to flooding:
Match the flood-proofing measure with its description:
Match the flood-proofing measure with its description:
Match the flood mitigation approach with its location or implementation level:
Match the flood mitigation approach with its location or implementation level:
Match the consequence with the description:
Match the consequence with the description:
Match the preparedness sector with the impact of a flood:
Match the preparedness sector with the impact of a flood:
Match the definition with the concept related to flood risk:
Match the definition with the concept related to flood risk:
Match the variable with its corresponding role in the recurrence interval calculation T = (n+1)/m:
Match the variable with its corresponding role in the recurrence interval calculation T = (n+1)/m:
Match the concept with its definition regarding water flow and flood dynamics:
Match the concept with its definition regarding water flow and flood dynamics:
Match the term with its description related to flood management strategies:
Match the term with its description related to flood management strategies:
Match the action with the potential impact on flood dynamics:
Match the action with the potential impact on flood dynamics:
Match the city with its notable flood event:
Match the city with its notable flood event:
Match the term with the appropriate description in flood analysis:
Match the term with the appropriate description in flood analysis:
Match the flood-related agency with the appropriate role in flood management:
Match the flood-related agency with the appropriate role in flood management:
Match the mathematical model with its application in flood prediction:
Match the mathematical model with its application in flood prediction:
Match the type of remote sensing with its use in flood monitoring:
Match the type of remote sensing with its use in flood monitoring:
Match the statistical method with its use in flood frequency analysis:
Match the statistical method with its use in flood frequency analysis:
Match the term related to urban flooding with its description:
Match the term related to urban flooding with its description:
Match the concept with the equation used to define it:
Match the concept with the equation used to define it:
Match the category of disaster resilience with its description:
Match the category of disaster resilience with its description:
Match the concept with its role in sustainable flood management:
Match the concept with its role in sustainable flood management:
Match the disaster response phase with its primary activity:
Match the disaster response phase with its primary activity:
Match the type of dam with its description:
Match the type of dam with its description:
Match the type of floodplain with its description:
Match the type of floodplain with its description:
Match the climate extreme with the disaster is may contribute to:
Match the climate extreme with the disaster is may contribute to:
Match the aspect of effective communication during a disaster with its role:
Match the aspect of effective communication during a disaster with its role:
Match the category of natural disaster with the typical season or seasons in which it occurs.
Match the category of natural disaster with the typical season or seasons in which it occurs.
Match the example of ecosystem-based adaptation to reduce flood risk with its description.
Match the example of ecosystem-based adaptation to reduce flood risk with its description.
Match the impact each climate extreme may have on insurance.
Match the impact each climate extreme may have on insurance.
Match the component of emergency management (prior to a disaster) with its example activity
Match the component of emergency management (prior to a disaster) with its example activity
Match the land surface feature with its impact on flood.
Match the land surface feature with its impact on flood.
Match the action to its impact on flood risk
Match the action to its impact on flood risk
Match the flood type with its cause.
Match the flood type with its cause.
Match the flood-resilient building strategy with its method.
Match the flood-resilient building strategy with its method.
Match the warning system with its purpose.
Match the warning system with its purpose.
Match the aspect of community involvement with its benefits in building resilience.
Match the aspect of community involvement with its benefits in building resilience.
Match the key function of flood insurance with its role.
Match the key function of flood insurance with its role.
Match the characteristic with the different types of floods.
Match the characteristic with the different types of floods.
Match the element of flood-risk communication with the type of information provided.
Match the element of flood-risk communication with the type of information provided.
Match the impact of climate change with its specific change in flooding
Match the impact of climate change with its specific change in flooding
Globally, how has the average flood damage per decade changed since World War II?
Globally, how has the average flood damage per decade changed since World War II?
Which of the following best describes the formal definition of a flood?
Which of the following best describes the formal definition of a flood?
Which flood type is least likely to be recognized by the 'formal definition' of a flood?
Which flood type is least likely to be recognized by the 'formal definition' of a flood?
What is the typical walking speed at which water starts to exert considerable pressure?
What is the typical walking speed at which water starts to exert considerable pressure?
What makes flash floods particularly dangerous?
What makes flash floods particularly dangerous?
Which of the following is a weather-related cause of river flooding?
Which of the following is a weather-related cause of river flooding?
Why is dealing with floods considered very challenging?
Why is dealing with floods considered very challenging?
What is the rank of floods in Canada in terms of causing property damage among natural disasters?
What is the rank of floods in Canada in terms of causing property damage among natural disasters?
What is a primary reason early settlements developed near water sources, contributing to modern cities' flood risk?
What is a primary reason early settlements developed near water sources, contributing to modern cities' flood risk?
According to the University of Waterloo study, what was Canada's average rating for flood preparedness?
According to the University of Waterloo study, what was Canada's average rating for flood preparedness?
According to the University of Waterloo study, what letter grade did Alberta receive for flood preparedness?
According to the University of Waterloo study, what letter grade did Alberta receive for flood preparedness?
Which of the following sectors is generally least prepared for flooding?
Which of the following sectors is generally least prepared for flooding?
In Calgary, which hazard was listed as the top risk by the Calgary Emergency Management Agency?
In Calgary, which hazard was listed as the top risk by the Calgary Emergency Management Agency?
What does it mean to follow the 'flood protection standard'?
What does it mean to follow the 'flood protection standard'?
What is a key limitation of flood risk maps?
What is a key limitation of flood risk maps?
What is a critical flaw in how flood risk maps are sometimes constructed, leading to a 'recipe for disaster'?
What is a critical flaw in how flood risk maps are sometimes constructed, leading to a 'recipe for disaster'?
In Drumheller, Alberta, what is a proactive measure implemented to mitigate flood risk for new constructions?
In Drumheller, Alberta, what is a proactive measure implemented to mitigate flood risk for new constructions?
What strategy does Vancouver, BC, employ to combat floods from both the ocean and rivers?
What strategy does Vancouver, BC, employ to combat floods from both the ocean and rivers?
According to the provided information, what should you NEVER do with old guidebooks?
According to the provided information, what should you NEVER do with old guidebooks?
What is a key principle for ensuring the validity of flood risk maps over time?
What is a key principle for ensuring the validity of flood risk maps over time?
A builder checks a standardly-made flood risk map. It shows no risk for the area, so they develop it. People buy the houses and they are flooded. Who is to blame?
A builder checks a standardly-made flood risk map. It shows no risk for the area, so they develop it. People buy the houses and they are flooded. Who is to blame?
What is the significance of drainage basin size in relation to flooding?
What is the significance of drainage basin size in relation to flooding?
In the context of drainage basin shape, what is the impact of a long path to the river channel?
In the context of drainage basin shape, what is the impact of a long path to the river channel?
What is a potential drawback of using dams and reservoirs for flood prevention?
What is a potential drawback of using dams and reservoirs for flood prevention?
According to the information, what is a critical component of predicting floods?
According to the information, what is a critical component of predicting floods?
Which of the following is an example of flood-proofing?
Which of the following is an example of flood-proofing?
What is the key benefit of flood waters spreading organic matter over land?
What is the key benefit of flood waters spreading organic matter over land?
What is the approximate water pressure exerted by water moving at 13 kph?
What is the approximate water pressure exerted by water moving at 13 kph?
Besides rivers overflowing their banks, where else in Canada do floods frequently occur?
Besides rivers overflowing their banks, where else in Canada do floods frequently occur?
What factor CANNOT cause a river flood?
What factor CANNOT cause a river flood?
Which city implemented a Flood Mitigation and Climate Adaptation System?
Which city implemented a Flood Mitigation and Climate Adaptation System?
Besides just storing water, what are two benefits that creating floodplains can offer?
Besides just storing water, what are two benefits that creating floodplains can offer?
What is the 0.6 rule?
What is the 0.6 rule?
To measure discharge, you divide a cross section into sections a measure water velocity. Roughly how many sections are used?
To measure discharge, you divide a cross section into sections a measure water velocity. Roughly how many sections are used?
In 2023 a city releases its Flood Resilience Plan with a three-layered approach. Which city is it?
In 2023 a city releases its Flood Resilience Plan with a three-layered approach. Which city is it?
What can flood risk maps show?
What can flood risk maps show?
What is the effect of continuous small amounts of rain?
What is the effect of continuous small amounts of rain?
According to the definition given for a flood, what has to happen for a flood to be occurring?
According to the definition given for a flood, what has to happen for a flood to be occurring?
Which Canadian city experienced a flash flood in 2013 due to Hurricane Hazel?
Which Canadian city experienced a flash flood in 2013 due to Hurricane Hazel?
What parameter is 'plotted' against what in a hydrograph?
What parameter is 'plotted' against what in a hydrograph?
What is a typical symptom/issue a community faces after a flood that complicates recovery and management?
What is a typical symptom/issue a community faces after a flood that complicates recovery and management?
Why were some areas of Calgary especially prone to the negative effects of flooding?
Why were some areas of Calgary especially prone to the negative effects of flooding?
Flashcards
Formal definition of a flood
Formal definition of a flood
High discharge causes water to exceed river banks and overflow onto the floodplain.
What is discharge?
What is discharge?
Volume of water passing a point at a given time.
What are river banks?
What are river banks?
The high part of the river channel that confines water.
What is the floodplain?
What is the floodplain?
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What causes river flooding?
What causes river flooding?
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Floods in Canada
Floods in Canada
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Why are cities affected so much?
Why are cities affected so much?
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What do flood risk maps show?
What do flood risk maps show?
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Flood protection standard
Flood protection standard
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Recipe for disaster
Recipe for disaster
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Planning done right in Vancouver
Planning done right in Vancouver
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How to avoid disaster
How to avoid disaster
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Stream discharge in western Canada
Stream discharge in western Canada
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What are pre-existing conditions?
What are pre-existing conditions?
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Flood Prevention Techniques
Flood Prevention Techniques
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How are floods predicted?
How are floods predicted?
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What is flood-proofing?
What is flood-proofing?
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Benefits to floods
Benefits to floods
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Measuring Discharge
Measuring Discharge
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What is a hydrograph?
What is a hydrograph?
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How to calculating the size of a flood
How to calculating the size of a flood
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Why Calgary Flooding?
Why Calgary Flooding?
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What to fix in Calgary
What to fix in Calgary
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Flooding
Flooding
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Practical Flood Definition
Practical Flood Definition
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River Banks
River Banks
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Floodplain
Floodplain
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Snowmelt Runoff
Snowmelt Runoff
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Storm Rainfall
Storm Rainfall
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Rain on Snow
Rain on Snow
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Ice Jams
Ice Jams
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Geomorphology
Geomorphology
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Focus of Flood Risk Mapping
Focus of Flood Risk Mapping
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Flood-Proofing Measures
Flood-Proofing Measures
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Recurrence Interval
Recurrence Interval
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Calgary's Flood Resilience
Calgary's Flood Resilience
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Minimizing Flood Impact
Minimizing Flood Impact
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Flood fatalities
Flood fatalities
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Flood damage increase
Flood damage increase
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Flash flood dangers
Flash flood dangers
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Water pressure comparison
Water pressure comparison
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Types of flooding
Types of flooding
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Flood locations
Flood locations
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Canada's flood preparedness
Canada's flood preparedness
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Calgary's top hazard
Calgary's top hazard
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River basin reactions
River basin reactions
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Contractor caveat
Contractor caveat
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Drainage basic size
Drainage basic size
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Drainage basin shape
Drainage basin shape
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The Dam Dilemma
The Dam Dilemma
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Valid danger zones
Valid danger zones
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Mapping flaws
Mapping flaws
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Study Notes
How Important Floods Are
- Floods lead to more fatalities compared to lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, and windstorms all combined.
- Flood damage per decade has increased tenfold globally since WW2.
- Flash floods are especially deadly
- 60% of flash flood fatalities occur in cars
- The average walking speed is 5 kph
- Water moving at 6.5 kph exerts a pressure of 2 atm
- Water moving at 13 kph exerts a pressure of 8 atm
- Door-height water moving at sufficient speed will push vehicles off the road
What Defines a Flood
- A practical flood definition is any water in an unwanted place
- A formal flood definition is high discharge causing water to exceed river banks, overflowing onto the floodplain
- Discharge means the volume of water passing a point in a river channel at a specific time
- River banks are the high parts of a river channel that keep water within the channel
- Floodplains are low areas beside a river channel that flood occasionally
- This formal definition does not cover other types of floods (coastal, urban, lake, temporary land floods).
Defining Other Types of Floods
- Formal definitions often omit types of floods
- Coastal floods should be considered
- Temporary land floods, or ponding, should be considered
- Lake floods should be considered
- Urban floods should be considered
Flood Mechanisms
- Weather events cause river flooding
- Snowmelt runoff
- Storm rainfall
- Rain falling on snow
- Ice jams
Where Floods Occur
- Floods occur at all scales, from global to the local neighborhood level
- Differing flood mechanisms impact different areas, varying with local conditions
- Dealing with floods is challenging due to the unique nature of each event
Facts About Floods in Canada
- Floods are the #1 natural disaster in Canada for property damage
- Floods occur in any region, at any time of year, in both cities and rural areas
- Each year, floods affect hundreds of thousands of people
- Most often, rivers overflow; they can also occur along lakeshores and oceans
Canadian Cities Affected by Floods
- St. John NB has been impacted by floods
- Montreal QC has been impacted by floods
- Ottawa ON has been impacted by floods
- Toronto ON has been impacted by floods
- Winnipeg MB has been impacted by floods
- Saskatoon SK has been impacted by floods
- Regina SK has been impacted by floods
- Edmonton AB has been impacted by floods
- Calgary AB has been impacted by floods
- Red Deer AB has been impacted by floods
- Lethbridge AB has been impacted by floods
- Vancouver BC has been impacted by floods
- All listed cities have at least one river running through them
- These cities are particularly vulnerable because they are situated near rivers
Examples of Flooded Canadian Cities
- Fort Calgary AB faced flooding in 1879 and 1897
- Calgary and Southern AB flooded in 1915, 1929, 2005, and 2013
- Edmonton AB was flooded in 2004
- Fort McMurray AB was flooded in 2020
- Winnipeg MB was flooded in 1950, 1997, 2011, and 2009
- Montreal QC was flooded in 1987 and 2017
- Toronto ON experienced a flash flood from Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and in 2013
- St. John NB was flooded in 2008; The St. John River NB flooded in 1902 and 1973
- Pemberton Valley BC was flooded in 1984
- Fraser River BC was flooded in 1894 and 1948
Why Cities Are So Affected By Floods
- Early transportation relied on rivers and oceans and fostered settlement near water
- Large cities often have two rivers increasing flood risk
- Cities have limited porous material on the ground, leading to overland water flow
Alberta's Flood Preparedness Rating
- A University of Waterloo study graded Canada's flood preparedness from A-F
- Canada averaged a C-
- Alberta received a C+ rating
Calgary's Flood Risk
- The Calgary Emergency Management Agency listed the top 10 hazards and risks in Calgary in 2016
- Flooding topped the list
Flood Planning
- Flood risk maps highlight likely flood areas
- Flood protection standards (1-in-100 year international standard) mandate infrastructure to withstand large floods
- Avoiding floodplains can be difficult due to their attractiveness
- Flood planning can be implemented wrong or right
- Proper flood planning also includes building resilient infrastructure and floodways/diversions
Flood Risk Maps Can Be Inaccurate When
- Based on population and property instead of land and water elevation
Inaccurate Flood Protection Standards
- Standards may be ignored despite existing
- Upgrades to standards may be deleyed
Flood Risk Map Creation
- Each river and basin uniquely reacts, but common factors can be identified
- Flood risk or hazard maps can be created using collected data
- Maps should be valid for years, but become outdated quickly after creation due to map creation parameters
Government Flood Map Creation
- Contractors are told to consider "risk" only if people or property are present
- Maps are constructed as "one-offs"
- As cities expand, new risk areas are created
- Builders assume maps are accurate & develop dangerous areas
- Maps are useless in this scenario
Builder's Due Diligence in Flood Zones
- Builders want to develop cheap land near a river with a good view
- Upon checking a flood risk map with a no risk rating, builders develop the land
- People who buy houses are flooded
- Builders say " But I checked the flood risk map and there was no risk".
- Risk becomes significant as soon as the first house is built
Flood Prevention in Drumheller, AB
- A New Office of Resiliency and Flood Mitigation has been founded
- Using Flood Mitigation and Climate Adaptation System (2019-2024), 100 km of Red Deer River bank will be altered to protect people and property
- New builds must be 4m above grade
- Adds $20,000 to the cost of a $250,000 house (that sells for $450,000)
Flood Prevention in Vancouver, BC
- Vancouver, BC combats floods from the ocean and rivers
- Sea walls and dikes help hold back flood water
Avoiding Disaster
- Determine the typical height of flood water
- Use GIS and DEM to analyze land height
- Determine a 'safe height' elevation
- Any elevation below this is in the danger zone
- These maps are valid as long as land elevation or water height doesn't change
- Map can be altered in under 1 hour
Primary Factors Causing Floods
- The annual stream discharge variations unique to each area in western Canada
- Sources of water supplying a hypothetical stream in a watershed with glaciers in western Canada include rainfall, snow melt, glacier melt and groundwater
- Diagram shows two rivers near Vancouver, BC and how different discharge is over a year
- The Fraser River has a large watershed, so the discharge is high; the Squamish River is smaller in both
- Size, shape, and geology of the drainage basin
- River channel geometry
- Surficial materials
- Vegetation
- Slope of the land
- Precipitation type, magnitude, and duration
- Ice in ground or in the river
- Pre-existing conditions
Facts About Drainage Basins
- Larger basins have more water for flooding
- Smaller basins are more tied to basin geometry
- Drainage Basin shapes
- Shape with equidistant path to river - water reaches channel in average time
- Short path to river channel - water reaches channel fast
- Long path to river channel - water reaches channel slowly
Pre-Existing Conditions Impact Floods
- Water, ice, etc., affect how water moves over or through the ground
- Cumulative effects mean that continuous rainfall will saturate the ground
- Ice jams can cause or worsen floods
- e.g. The Bow River ice jam between Morley and Canmore AB
Flood Prevention Techniques
- Create floodplains
- Maintain wetlands
- Establish long, winding river paths
- Construct natural or artificial levees
- Use hydrologic monitoring systems
- Use floodways or river diversions
- Use dams and reservoirs
Drawbacks to Dams
- Water is stored for agriculture and power generation
- Reservoirs must be lowered to make space for flood water
- If done, flood volume only reduces by ~5%
- TransAlta needs compensation for using dams and reservoirs for flood use due to a reduction in power and water availability
Predicting Floods
- Measure amount of rainfall in real time
- Measure rate of change in river stage (height) in real time
- Have knowledge of storm type producing moisture
- Characteristics of the river's drainage basin
Flood Proofing Measures
- Move away from flood-prone areas
- Utilize structures that survive large floods
- Elevate building foundations above anticipated flood levels
- Done by Drumheller, AB for Red River floods
- Isolate buildings from flood waters with earth walls or mounds
- Vancouver, BC uses this technique for the Fraser River (dikes) and Pacific Ocean (seawall)
- Use waterproof doors, windows, and basement walls
- Install drains with pumps to remove water
- Install ground-level windows that allow flood water to pass through a building without washing away
- Requires waterproofing of building walls and floors
- Use building materials that are easily cleaned after a flood
- Grade sites to drain water away from buildings
Benefits to Floods
- The creation of new wetlands or floodplains leads to:
- Flood storage, erosion control, and water quality maintenance by removing debris
- Recharge of groundwater
- New wildlife habitats
- Flood waters spread organic matter across the land, fertilizing it
Understanding the 2013 Calgary Flood
- As of June 2013, daily precipitation exceeded 1 year's average in only 2.5 days
- Warm rain and significant snowpack runoff
- Steep Mountain slopes increased runoff rate into rivers
- The Bow River's normal protection measures were inadequate at the volume and sediment loads
- Areas throughout Southern Alberta saw record flooding
Why Flooding Occurs
- A year's worth of snow fell in 2.5 days time
- Warm rain and a significant snowpack created large meltwater runoff
- Mountain slopes drove water into rivers
- Normal protection measures were inadequate for the volume of water and sediment load in the river
- The effects of the flood included widespread damage
- ranges from extreme to subtle and repairs are necessary to fix A small flood will have large damage if damage has not already been fixed
Calculating Water Discharge
- Measurements for flood size are performed at Gauging stations
- Utilize a current meter
- Divide cross sections into 5-10 sections
- Measure the velocity of the water at each section
- Locate current meter depth using a .6 rule
- River velocity is then estimated at .63 times the flow depth at ay location
- Water Discharge formulas include:
- Q = AV Where: Q = discharge (m3/s), A = cross-sectional area (m2), V = water velocity (m/s)
- Q = wdV Where: w = channel width (m), d = channel depth (m), V = water velocity (m/s)
Hydrograph Characteristics
- Plots discharge (Q) vs time (t)
- Rising and falling limb with peak
- Lag occurs between precipitation and stage of discharge
- Lag is determined by:
- Basin shape and size
- Surficial materials
- Groundwater contribution
Measuring Flood Size and Occurrence
- Statistical review based on discharge
- Measurements are expressed as a chance or time frame
- e.g. 1:100 year flood (protection standard)
- The 2013 Southern Alberta flood was ~ 1:40 year flood
- Any size flood at any time is possible, and depends on conditions
- Theoretically - two 1:100 year floods can happen in two consecutive years and then nothing for 30-40 years
- Equation for recurrence rate includes T = (n + 1) / m - n = number of observations - M = magnitude (based on discharge) - T = recurrence interval (flood size)
- This formula estimates the likelihood of a flood occurring in a given period.
- The recurrence interval can be calculated using differing data sets, such as:
- The government calculated 2013 as a 1-in-22 year flood
- Observations taken for 99 years with a rating calculated - data for T = (99+1)/5
- results in a 1-in-20 year flood rating
- Observations taken for 99 years with a rating calculated - data for T = (99+1)/5
- The government calculated 2015 as a 1-in-110 year flood -Observations taken for 105 years with a discharge calculations of (m=3) - data for T = (105+1)/ 3 -results in a 1 - in - 35 year flood rating. -The government calculated 2018 as a ~1-in-87 year flood -Observation taken for 110 years -M = 3 Discharged calculations -T = (110 +1)/ 3 - T = 1 in 37 year flood rating.
- The government calculated 2013 as a 1-in-22 year flood
The Good and Bad About Flood History
- Preparations are based largely on historical records of similar events
- The largest Calgary floods were in the late 1800s with no accurate measurements
- Discharge is estimated with reference to landmarks and how full the river was
Additional Problems with Flood History Data
- Proper measuring equipment was first introduced after 1900
- Equipment not designed for high discharge is easily destroyed
- Real-time systems started in the 1950's, but Bowness got only 45 minutes warning in 2013
- Problems during record collection occur during: -Determining flood magnitude as no clear rules apply -Early large floods can be discarded is discharge is questionable -Flood equipment breaks
Special Considerations about the 2013 Calgary Flood
- Some Calgary areas had special flood problems connected to the infrastructure creating worse flood conditions
- Sunnyside flooded from Bow River up storm sewers, and Crescent Heights down storm sewers
- Flood water was not meant to create problems where it ended up
Changes to the Bow River
- Debris carried from mountains altered river channel and water path
- Authorities warn against river use until properly surveyed
- The volume of rocks, gravel, sediment and debris has greatly increased altering river habitats
- Debris-laden floodwaters in the Elbow River washed out the bridge on Highway 66
- A temporary bridge (left) was implemented over the Elbow River with repair work fixing the original -Navigation is considered very hazardous due to debris
2023 City of Calgary Flood Summary
- City of Calgary has made adaptation, preparationg, and response to flooding for ten years
- A a three-layered approach to flood resiliency is in place with multi-faceted approach -Physical protection -Infrastructure upgrades -Riverbank improvements + public education support
- The City's flood risk will reduce by 70% when the Springbank Off Stream Resevoir is operational
- By 2025, flood risk reduction in Calgary is expected to reach 70% due to improved infrastructure and planning
Flood Preparedness
- The 2013 Calgary flood highlighted a lack of preparedness in:
- Health and safety facilities
- Infrastructure (roads, bridges)
- Insurance policies
Flood Inevitability
- Floods are inevitable but manageable with planning, infrastructure, and community resilience.
- A proactive approach is key to minimizing loss of life and property.
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