3 Ways Modern Cities Practice Flood Prevention

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

An earthen dam or levee is a form of flood prevention that’s been used since prehistory

Three Common Methods For Flood Prevention IN Cities

With floods becoming more common, cities are taking a more proactive approach to control dangerously high water. Probably the three most common methods are:

• Sluice Gates
• Water Barriers
• Reservoirs
  

When used in the right combination, these interventions will be able to stop flooding effectively and economically in most cities. They can also have a massive impact on flood insurance rates in Delray Beach, FL.

Sluice Gates Are Ideal for Rivers and Canals

Often, the greatest risk for flooding comes from rivers. In populated areas, sluice gates are an affordable way to manage high water events. They’re simple to operate and work for small canals as well as significant rivers.
Each sluice is a wood or metal barricade that can be raised or lowered as needed. When the medium-term forecast calls for large amounts of water to enter the river, the river level can be reduced in advance to accommodate high water levels.

Water Barriers Can Be Very Simple or Technological Marvels

An earthen dam or levee is a form of flood prevention that’s been used since prehistory. Often relatively simple and extremely economical to construct, modern engineering can make these dams as durable as any other form of flood control when used correctly.
Some, however, are cutting-edge innovations that control flooding with both function and form. The Maeslantkering storm water barricade, for example, has two beautiful arched barriers that pivot out to block flooding. Controlled by supercomputers and one of the largest rotating structures on Earth, it normally allows free passage to ships.

Reservoirs Are the Storage Yards for Flood Events

Except for cases of ocean flooding, sluices and barriers need reservoirs for high water incidents. With a large enough area for a reservoir, cities can manage 100-year floods effectively. Reservoirs can be either natural or man-made (or both) and are often used for recreation as well.
If a flood exceeds the local controls, you may experience heavy property damage – which may not be insured! Either way, call the top water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Delray Beach to help your business get back to operations as soon as possible. SERVPRO is Faster to Any Size Disaster.