flood control
Managing excess water
Flood control refers to methods and infrastructure designed to prevent or minimize flooding—dams, levees, drainage systems, and land management practices that direct or absorb excess water.
The Army Corps of Engineers oversees flood control along the Mississippi.
The term also covers policies and planning: The city invested heavily in flood control after the devastating 2008 storms.
Water-blocking structures
- leveesEarthen flood barriers
- spillwaysDam overflow passages
- embankmentsRaised earth structures
- dikesRaised barriers against flooding
reservoirs · weirs · culverts · pumps · sea walls · gabions · riprap · sandbags
Science of water distribution
- erosion preventionProtecting ground from wearing away
- channelizationStraightening natural waterways
Removal from danger
- warning systemsMechanisms signaling potential danger
- rescue operationsOrganized efforts to save endangered people
- emergency sheltersTemporary housing during crises
- preparedness drillsPracticed responses to emergencies
first responders · relief efforts · disaster response · early warning · sirens · emergency broadcasting · temporary housing · emergency supplies
Laws governing property development
- building codesLaws governing structure safety
- setback requirementsMinimum distance from boundaries
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
- buffer zonesSeparating areas preventing contact
dams
Water-blocking structures
- leveesEarthen flood barriers
- spillwaysDam overflow passages
- embankmentsRaised earth structures
dikes · reservoirs · weirs · culverts · pumps · sea walls · gabions · riprap · sandbags · berms
hydrology
Science of water distribution
- erosion preventionProtecting ground from wearing away
- channelizationStraightening natural waterways
evacuation
Removal from danger
- warning systemsMechanisms signaling potential danger
- rescue operationsOrganized efforts to save endangered people
- emergency sheltersTemporary housing during crises
preparedness drills · first responders · relief efforts · disaster response · early warning · sirens · emergency broadcasting · temporary housing · emergency supplies · evacuation routes
zoning regulations
Laws governing property development
- building codesLaws governing structure safety
- setback requirementsMinimum distance from boundaries
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
- floodsdeluge, floodwater, rising waters, overflow, levee breach
- infrastructure projectsroad building, bridge construction, bridge repair, tunnel boring, railway construction
- flood controllevee, levees, dike, dikes, dykes
- water managementwater supply, dam, water district, water authority, water allocation
- Red River ValleyRed River, Winnipeg, Fargo, Manitoba, North Dakota
- Central Valley historySacramento, Stockton, Fresno, Modesto, Bakersfield
flood controlirrigation
Artificial water supply for agriculture
water supply · water delivery · water distribution · water storage · water diversion
flood, control, flooded, floods, flooding, floodgate, floodplain, floodgates, floodwaters