Flood Control

S5E1 Students will identify surface features of the Earth caused by constructive and destructive processes.
c. Relate the role of technology and human intervention in the control of constructive and destructive processes.
Examples include, but are not limited to:

Flood control (dams, levees, storm drain management, etc.)

Dams

Dams help control the flow of water down major rivers. That flow of water is then turned into electricity. The Tennessee Valley Authority, which was created as part of FDR's New Deal, built many dams in the Southeastern U.S. They still are a major source of hydro-electric power today. You can explore their site to learn more about dams, hydro-electricity and flood prevention.

Levees

Levees are designed to control the flow of water. Unlike dams, they do not block a river. Instead they make the sides of the river taller to prevent flood damage to nearby cities, houses and businesses.

To learn all about levees click on the levee simulator on the webpage linked here.
To learn about the risk of flooding click here.
To learn about the cost of flooding click on the simulation tool here.

Storm Drain Management

Heavy rainfall can also lead to large amounts of water running through the city's storm drain system. As more and more people live in cities, pollution becomes a bigger and bigger problem.

You can learn more about storm water pollution here.
To learn more about water and the water cycle click here.
To learn more about watersheds, click here.

Since, we are learning about water management you should be aware that 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. Americans often do not realize how fortunate they are. Many scientists and aid organizations are searching for solutions to help. You can learn more about the world's water problem here.