Force of Floods

Lesson Overview :

Content Standard F: Science in personal and social perspectives
Natural Hazards

Strand 1: Questioning and Analysis Skills

1. Engineering can provide some solutions to alleviating natural hazards.

2. Controlling river flooding requires an understanding of hydrology.

3. There are limits to engineering solutions.

Students will:

generate a list of ideas on how to control flooding.

test the above ideas by creating working models.

evaluate the flood control measures.

Cross-Curricular Connections:

Geography:
• Identify population settlement patterns in the U.S. influenced by natural features.

Social Studies:
• Research the need to be near water for industry, agriculture, and community development.

Experimenting
Modeling
Applying

Materials:

Per Group
topographic map(s)
stream table
graph paper
drawing materials (pens and pencils)
soil mixture (sand, slit, & clay)

Procedure:

1. Provide each cooperative group with a topographic map or maps of a river system that is subject to flooding (local systems if available).

2. Instruct each group to brainstorm a list of possible solutions to prevent flooding in the populated areas on the map(s).

3. If students are having a hard time thinking up solutions you may suggest that they consider large levees, levee enhancement, diversions, or holding areas.

4. Instruct the students to build working models of their solutions using the stream tables provided.

5. Ask the students to evaluate what method they think was best and why.

Suggested Discussion Questions:

What criteria did you use to evaluate your flood control method?

What solution would be the most economicalv?

Did you consider moving any of the population out of the flood zone? Why? Why not?

What limits are there to engineering solutions?

Further Investigations:

Research to see if any insurance companies offer incentives for people to move out of flood zones.

See FEMA web site for the government’s response to minimizing flood damage.

Engineer
Hydrologist
Geologist
Planner

Assessment Procedures:

Each group presents a clear rationale for selecting a flood prevention measure to test.

The group justifies the use of flood prevention procedures. For example, using a nearby water body for diversion.

The group assesses the flood control procedure in terms of rate of success, possible limitations, economic costs, human displacement etc.