SESSION 2023-24 VII SEMESTER

KOE-078
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
ENGINEERING

UNIT -5

SANJANA SINGH
ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF
 Content
1. Need of planned utilization of water resources,

2. Economics of water resources utilization.

3. Flood plain zones management,

4. Modifying the flood,

5. Reducing susceptibility to damage.

6. Reducing the impact of flooding.

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Need for Planning and Management of water resources
(1) Severity of the adverse consequences of droughts, floods and excessive pollution.
(2) These can lead to
a. Too little water due to growing urbanization, additional water requirements, in stream flow requirements etc.
Measures should be taken to reduce the demand during scarcity times.
b. Too much water due to increased flood frequencies and also increase in water requirements due to increased
economic development on river floodplains.
c. Polluted water due to both industrial and household discharges.
Degradation of aquatic and riparian systems due to river training and reclamation of floodplains for urban
and
industrial development, poor water quality due to discharges of pesticides, fertilizers and wastewater effluents .
(1) While port development requires deeper rivers, narrowing the river for shipping purposes will increase
the
flood level
(2) River bank erosion and degradation of river bed upstream of the reservoirs may increase the flooding risks
(3) Sediment accumulation in the reservoir due to poor water quality.
Considering all these factors, the identification and evaluation of alternative measures that may increase the
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Planning and Management – Approaches
Two approaches which lead to an integrated plan and management policy are
 From the top down or the command and control approach
 From the bottom up or the grass-roots approach

Top down approach:

Water resources professionals prepare integrated, multipurpose “master” development plans
with alternative structural and non-structural management options. There is dominance of
professionals and little participation of stakeholders. In this approach, one or more
institutions have the ability and authority to develop and implement the plan. However,
nowadays, since public have active participation in planning and management activities, top-
down approaches are becoming less desirable or acceptable.
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Bottom up approach:
In this approach there is active participation of interested stakeholders – those affected by

the management of the water and land resources.

Plans are being created from the bottom up rather than top down. Top down approach

plans do not take into consideration the concerns of affected local stakeholders.
 Bottom up approach ensures cooperation and commitment from stakeholders.
The goals and priorities will be common among all stakeholders by taking care of laws and

regulations and by identifying multiple alternatives and performance criteria.

 Tradeoffs are made between conflicting goals or measures of performance.

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Government Scheme related to water
resource planning and management

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Water Management Scheme Water Management Scheme Water Management Scheme Water Management Scheme Water Management Scheme
National Water Mission (NWM) 2011 Water conservation, minimizing wastage, Water Conservation, Demand Focuses on conservation of water,
equitable distribution of water resources Management, Pollution Control, minimizing wastage, and promoting
Institutional Reform, Information and equitable
Education distribution through integrated water
resource management.-

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban 2015 Water supply and sanitation - Universal coverage of water supply in 500
Transformation (AMRUT) Mission cities
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) 2015 Expanding irrigation coverage in India Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP), Per Drop Providing irrigation facilities to every farm
More Crop (PDMC) in the country as main objective of the
scheme is to enhance and expand the
efficiencies of water use in agriculture.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) 2019 Sustainable groundwater management Over-exploited and critical : Promote sustainable management of
groundwater blocks groundwater resources in identified
water-stressed
areas.
National Water Policy (NWP), 2012 2012 Integrated water resource management, - : Provides guidelines for the sustainable
conservation, pollution control development and management of water
resources in India.
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) 1985 Conservation of rivers and their biodiversity, - Address the pollution of rivers in the
prevention of pollution, restoration of degraded country and improve water quality.
rivers
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2019 Providing safe drinking water to all households, - : Provide functional tap water connection
improving water quality, increasing water to every rural household in India by 2024.
availability

Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 Promote water conservation and water resource Accelerated implementation of five Improve water availability and ensure
management targeted interventions: water water security for all
conservation and rainwater harvesting,
renovation of traditional and other
water bodies, reuse of water and
recharging of structures, watershed
development, and intensive
afforestation

Wastewater Management Framework 2021 Ensure effective wastewater management for Wastewater treatment, reuse, and Reduce water pollution, promote
environmental protection and public health resource recovery sustainable water management, and
improve public health 9
National Water Policy:
o Aim: Provides guidelines for the sustainable development and management of water resources
in India.
oLaunch Date: The first National Water Policy was formulated in 1987, and the latest policy was
introduced in 2012.
o Activities
▪Promotion of water conservation and efficient water use.
▪Equitable distribution of water resources.
▪Enhancement of water storage capacity through reservoirs and check dams.
▪Adoption of demand management strategies.
o Estimated Water Availability: India receives an average rainfall of 4,000 billion cubic
meters(BCM)
annually, out of which the total utilizable water resources are about 1,869 BCM.
oWater Demand-Supply Gap: The demand for water is projected to be around 1,180 BCM by 2050, while the
average annual water availability is expected to remain around 1,137 BCM, indicating a potential water shortage
in the future. 10
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National Water Mission:
o Aim: Focuses on conservation of water, minimizing wastage, and promoting equitable
distribution through integrated water resource management.
oLaunch Date: The National Water Mission was launched in 2011 as part of the National Action
Plan on Climate Change.
o Activities
▪Promotion of water use efficiency in agriculture, industries, and domestic sectors.
▪Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
▪River basin management and conservation.
▪Creation of water-saving technologies and practices.
▪Awareness campaigns and capacity building programs.

o Rainwater Harvesting Potential: The estimated potential of rainwater harvesting in India

is around 300 BCM, which can help recharge groundwater and ensure water availability
during lean seasons.
o Water Use Efficiency: The target is to reduce water consumption in agriculture by 20-25%
through the adoption of water-efficient technologies and practices.
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National River Conservation Plan (NRCP):
o Aim: Address the pollution of rivers in the country and improve water quality.
o Launch Date: The NRCP was initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985.
o Activities ▪ Establishment of sewage treatment plants (STPs) to treat domestic and industrial wastewater.
▪Implementation of pollution control measures for industries.
▪Identification and remediation of pollution sources.
▪Monitoring of water quality in rivers.
▪Conservation and restoration of river ecosystems.
o Pollution Abatement: Under the NRCP, over 225 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been established,
treating approximately 6162 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage to control river pollution.
o River Cleaning: The Government has allocated funds for the Ganga River Basin alone, with a budget of
Rs
20,000 crore (approx. USD 2.7 billion) for pollution abatement and restoration.
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Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):
o Aim: Promote sustainable management of groundwater resources in identified water-stressed areas.
o Launch Date: ABHY was launched in December 2019 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
o Activities ▪ Development and expansion of irrigation facilities like canals, pipelines, and water
management infrastructure.
▪Adoption of micro-irrigation techniques like drip irrigation and sprinklers.
▪Promotion of watershed management and rainwater harvesting.
▪Training and capacity building of farmers on water-efficient agricultural practices.
▪Integrated water resource management for sustainable agriculture.
oMicro-Irrigation Coverage: The target is to cover an additional 10 million hectares under micro irrigation
techniques like drip irrigation and sprinklers by 2025.
o Water Use Efficiency: The adoption of micro-irrigation technologies can result in 30-40% water
savings compared to conventional irrigation methods
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Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY):
o Aim: Promote sustainable management of groundwater resources in identified water-stressed areas.
o Launch Date: ABHY was launched in December 2019 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
o Activities ▪ Identification and demarcation of water-stressed areas.
▪Creation of participatory groundwater management structures and committees.
▪Promotion of efficient irrigation practices and groundwater recharge.
▪Awareness campaigns on sustainable groundwater use.
▪Technical assistance and capacity building for groundwater management.
oIdentified Water-Stressed Areas: ABHY aims to cover 8 states, including Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, in its first phase.
oCommunity Participation: The scheme focuses on empowering local communities to actively
participate in groundwater management through the formation of water user associations.

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Jal Jeevan Mission
o Aim: Provide functional tap water connection to every rural household in India by 2024.
o Launch Date: The Jal Jeevan Mission was announced in August 2019 by the Ministry of
Jal Shakti.
o Activities
▪Identification, construction, and augmentation of water supply infrastructure to provide
tap water connections to rural households.
▪Water quality testing and treatment.
▪Promotion of water conservation and source sustainability.
▪Training and capacity building for community-driven water management.
▪Behaviour change communication for safe water practices.
oTargeted Rural Households: The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide tap water
connections to about 19.5 crores (195 million) rural households across India.
o Fund Allocation: The Government has allocated a budget of Rs 3.60 lakh crore
(approx.
USD 48 18
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):
o Aim: To ensure the provision of basic services like water supply, sanitation, solid waste
management, and urban transport in cities.
o Focus: The scheme primarily targets 500 cities and towns with a population of more than 1 lakh, as well
as
some cities with a historical, cultural, or tourist importance.
o Launch Date: AMRUT was launched on 25th June 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and UrbanAffairs.
o Activities
▪Providing household tap connections for water supply.
▪Improving sewerage and septage management systems.
▪Establishing waste processing facilities for solid waste management.
▪Enhancing urban transport infrastructure.
▪Developing parks, open spaces, and recreational areas.
▪Strengthening governance and capacity building efforts.
oCity Coverage: As of March 2021, 4,372 cities were selected under AMRUT for various
infrastructure and development projects.
o Budget Allocation: The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 1,00,000 crore (approx. USD
13.4 billion)
for the period of 2015-2020.
o Focus States: Some of the prominent states covered under AMRUT include
Maharashtra, Tamil
1
Nadu, transport.
urban Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. 9
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Jal Shakti Abhiyan (Water Power Initiative):
o Aim: To strengthen water conservation and management, especially in water-stressed areas.
o Launch Date: Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched on 1st July 2019.
o Activities
▪Water conservation and harvesting
▪Renovation of traditional water bodies like ponds and lakes
▪Revival of defunct structures like wells and step-wells
▪Watershed development activities
▪Promotion of efficient irrigation methods
▪Demand-side management and water-use efficiency measures
o Rainwater Harvesting: Over 85,000 traditional water bodies have been renovated and more than 11
lakh
rainwater harvesting structures have been constructed under the initiative.
o Revival of Rivers: Under the Namami Gange program, a part of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, 32 major and
83 smaller projects have been implemented to clean and rejuvenate the river Ganga.
o Watershed Development: Around 21 lakh hectares of land have been treated under the
watershed development activities of Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
oInterlinking of Rivers: The government has proposed the interlinking of rivers as a long-term
solution to water scarcity. This involves connecting rivers and transferring water from waterrich
regions to water-deficient regions. 21
 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
According to Global Water Partnership (GWP, 2000), IWRM is a process which promotes

the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order
to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without
compromising the sustainability of the vital ecosystems.
An integrated water management model develops solutions by involving all the essential

components into an optimization scheme.

The resources are used in relation to social and economic activities and functions. There is

a need for laws and regulations for the sustainable use of the water resources.

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Principles for a good water resources management as described by the
United Nations Water Conference in 1977 are:
The “ecological principle” – to treat water as a unitary resource within
river basins, with particular attention to ecosystems.

The “institutional principle” – to respect the principle of subsidiarity through

the involvement of government, civil society and the private sector.

The “instrument principle” – to recognize water as a scarce

economic community by imposing various penalties for excessive
usage.

A management policy must be developed only after considering the factors such
health
as costconsiderations
effectiveness, etc.
economic efficiency, environmental impact, ecological2
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 Planning and Management Aspects
Technical aspects
It is first necessary to identify the characteristics of resources in the basin, including the

land, the rainfall, the runoff, the stream and river flows and the groundwater Technical
aspects of planning involves
Predicting changes in land use/covers and economic activities at watershed and river basin

levels.
Estimation of the costs and benefits of any measures being and to be taken to manage the

basin’s water resource including engineering structures, canals, diversion structures.

Identification and evaluation of alternative management strategies and also alternative time

schedules for implementing those measures

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Economic and Financial aspects
Water should be treated as an economic commodity to extract the maximum benefits as well

as to generate funds to recover the costs of the investments and of the operation and
maintenance of the system.
 Water had been treated for long as a free commodity. Revenues recovered are far below the

capital cost incurred.

Financial component of any planning process is needed to recover construction costs,

maintenance, repair and operation costs.

In management policies, financial viability is viewed as a constraint that must be satisfied;

not as an objective whose maximization could result in a reduction in economic efficiency,

equity or other non-monetary objectives.
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Institutional aspects

Successful project implementation needs an enabling environment. National, provincial and

local policies, legislation and institutions are crucial for implementation of the decisions. The

role of the government is crucial since water is

(i) not a property right

 (ii) a resource that often requires large investment to develop and

(iii) a medium that can impulse external effects.

The main causes of failure of water resources development project are

insufficient
institutional setting and lack of a sound economic evaluation and implementation 2
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Modelling Of Water Resources Systems (WRS)
Models are simplified representations of actual real-world systems through
assumptions and approximations.

Models can be classified as

(i) Physical model that designs the physical components of a project

(ii) Mathematical models that evaluate consequences of alternative plans by analyzing

the

various physical processes through arithmetical and logical statements

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Economic Analysis of Water Resources System
Introduction
It is important to understand the basics of
engineering economics because no matter how
sound a project, capital purchase or investment may seem, it will fail if it is not
economically feasible.
What Engineering Economics Is and Isn’t
 Engineering economics principles focus on the process used to make an economics-based

decision, not on the decision itself.

Engineering economics plays an important role for business owners because it helps

identify the steps required to make well-thought out decisions such as whether to lease or
purchase office space, invest in new computers or update existing ones, or provide customer
service in-house or outsource the customer service department. 29
 The Seven Principles –economics
1. Develop the Alternatives Water resource systems Planning and Management .
The final choice (decision) is among alternatives. The alternatives need to be identified and
then defined for subsequent analysis.
2. Focus on the Differences
Only the differences in expected future outcomes among the alternatives are relevant to their
comparison and should be considered in the decision.
3. Use a Consistent Viewpoint
The prospective outcomes of the alternatives, economic and other, should be
consistently developed from a defined viewpoint (perspective).
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1. Use a Common Unit of Measure
Using a common unit of measurement to enumerate as many of the prospective outcomes
as possible will make easier the analysis and comparison of alternatives.
2. Consider All Relevant Criteria
Selection of a preferred alternative (decision making) requires the use of a criterion.
3. Make Uncertainty Explicit
Uncertainty is inherent in projecting (or estimating) the future outcomes of the
alternatives and should be recognized in their analysis and comparison.
4. Revisit Your Decisions
Improved decision making results from an adaptive process; to the extent practicable, the
initial projected outcomes of the selected alternative should be subsequently compared with
actual results achieved. 31
Engineering Economic Analysis Procedure
1. Problem recognition, definition, and evaluation
2. Define the goal or objectives
3. Define the feasible alternatives
4. Collect all relevant data/information Water resource systems Planning
5. Evaluate each alternative
6. Select the “best” alternative
7. Implement and monitor the decision

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 What is Flood Plain Zoning?

About:
Flood Plain Zoning has been recognized as an effective non-structural measure for
flood management.
The basic concept of flood plain zoning is to regulate land use in the flood plains to
restrict the damage caused by floods.

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Features of flood plane zoning:
Determining Developmental Activities: It aims at determining the locations and the extent of
areas for developmental activities in such a fashion that the damage is reduced to a minimum.
Adds Limitations: It envisages laying down limitations on development of both the unprotected as
well as protected areas.
In the unprotected areas, boundaries of areas in which developmental activities will be banned, are to
be
established to prevent indiscriminate growth.
In the protected areas, only such developmental activities can be allowed, which will not involve heavy
damage in case the protective measures fail.
Utility: Zoning cannot remedy existing situations, although, it will definitely help in minimising
flood
damage in new developments.
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the damage caused by drainage congestion particularly in urban areas. 6
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India’s Status of Vulnerability to Floods:
India’s high risk and vulnerability is highlighted by the fact that 40 million hectares out of a geographical area of
3290 lakh hectares is prone to floods.
On an average every year, 75 lakh hectares of land is affected, 1600 lives are lost and the damage caused
to crops, houses and public utilities is Rs. 1805 crores due to floods.

What is a Model Bill for Flood Plain Zoning?

About: The Bill provides clauses about flood zoning authorities, surveys and delineation of flood plain
area, notification of limits of flood plains, prohibition of the use of the flood plains, compensation and most
importantly removing obstructions to ensure free flow of water.
It seeks to replace dwellings in low-lying areas by parks and playgrounds as absence of human settlement in
those
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areas would cut down loss of lives and property.
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Challenges in Implementation:
There has been resistance on the part of the states to follow-up the various

aspects of floodplain management including possible legislation.

The reluctance of the states is mainly due to population pressure and want of

alternative livelihood systems.

The lukewarm response of the states towards the enactment and enforcement of the

floodplain regulations has fuelled a significant increase in the encroachments into

the flood plains, sometimes authorised and duly approved by the town planning
authorities. 4
0
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2008 has issued guidelines for
states for floodplain zoning as an important “non-structural measure” to mitigate floods.

It suggested that areas likely to be affected by floods in a frequency of 10 years should be

reserved for green areas like parks, gardens and others while concrete structures should not be
allowed there.

It also talked about other zones in the floodplain like in areas of flooding in a 25-year
frequency and asked states to make plans accordingly in those areas.

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 Types of flooding
RIVERINE FLOODING
Water from rain and snowmelt are collected by the smaller channels (tributaries) which send

the water to larger ones and eventually to the lowest body of water in the watershed (main
channel).
 Channels are defined features on the ground that carry water through and out of a
watershed.
 They may be called rivers, creeks, streams or ditches.
 They can be wet all the time or dry most of the time.
When a channel receives too much water, the excess flows over its banks and into the

adjacent floodplain.
 Flooding that occurs along a channel is called riverine flooding. 43
OVERBANK FLOODING
occurs when downstream channels receive more rain or snowmelt from their watershed than

normal, or a channel is blocked by an ice jam or debris.

 For either reason, excess water overloads the channels and flows out onto the floodplain.
 Overbank flooding varies with the watershed’s size and terrain.
 Hilly and mountainous areas have faster moving water, so velocity can pose a
serious
hazard. In flat areas, the flood may move slowly, making its velocity less of a hazard.
 Flood depths vary, as do flood durations.
Depending on the size of the river and terrain of its floodplain, flooding can last for days and

cover wide areas.

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FLASH FLOODING

A severe storm that drops much rainfall in a short time can generate a flash flood. All
flash floods strike quickly and end swiftly.

 While flash floods occur in all fifty states, areas with steep slopes and narrow stream
valleys are particularly vulnerable, as are the banks of small tributary streams.

In hilly areas, the high-velocity flows and short warning time make flash floods hazardous
and very destructive.

In urban areas, flash flooding can occur where impervious surfaces, gutters and storm
sewers speed runoff. Flash floods also can be caused by dam failure, the release of ice-jam
flooding, or collapse of debris dams. Flash floods rank first as the cause of flood-related
deaths in the United States.
. 45
COASTAL FLOODING
Persistent high wind and changes in air pressure push water toward the shore, causing a

storm surge which can raise the level of a large body of water by several feet.
 Waves can be highly destructive as they move inland, battering structures in their path.
 On open coasts, the magnitude of a flood varies with the tides.
An increase in the level of the ocean during high tide will flood larger areas than a storm that

strikes during low tide.

Major coastal storms can significantly change the shape of shoreline landforms, making

sandy coastal floodplains particularly unstable places for development. Wind and waves shape
sand dunes, bluffs and barrier islands.
 Because these landforms provide natural buffers from the effects of a storm, their
4
preservation is important to the protection of inland development. 6
TSUNAMIS Another hazard along the coast is a tsunami, a large wave often called a “tidal
wave” even though tides and tsunamis are not related.
Caused by an underwater earthquake or volcano, a tsunami is a pressure wave that can raise
water levels as much as 15 feet.
In the open ocean, a tsunami’s wave may be only a few feet high.
Because the wave’s energy extends from the surface to the bottom, that energy is
compressed as the wave approaches shallow water, creating higher, more life-threatening
waves .
Tsunamis usually occur in the Pacific Ocean, but they have caused floods in the Caribbean.
Because they can happen on a clear day and are not related to storms, they can catch many
people unaware.
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SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARDS
The flooding types described so far are the more common types found in the United States.
There are many special local situations in which flooding or flood related problems do not fit the national
norm. This section discusses five of those special flood hazards:

 Closed basin lakes

 Uncertain flow paths.

 Dam breaks.

 Ice jams.

 Mudflows.

 Floods and Floodplain Management

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CLOSED BASIN LAKES
There are two types of closed basin lake:
•Lakes with no outlets, like the Great Salt Lake, Utah, Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, and the Salton Sea,
California; and Lakes with inadequate, regulated or elevated outlets, such as the Great Lakes and many
glacial lakes.
•Seasonal increases in rainfall cause a closed basin lake’s level to rise faster than it can drain. As a result,
they
are subject to large fluctuations in water surface elevation.
• Floodwaters in closed basin lakes may stay up for weeks, months or even years.

•The long periods of high water make closed basin lake flooding particularly problematic. Properties may not
be heavily damaged, but they are unusable for long periods because they are surrounded by—or under—
water. Buildings are isolated and septic fields are unusable.
• Properties are exposed to waves (and sometimes ice) that add to the hazard.
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UNCERTAIN FLOW PATHS
 some areas of the country, every flood may change channels. For example, in mountainous areas, high-velocity

floodwater picks up sediment and rock.

 Thus, they pose three hazards:

 ♦ Velocity of floodwaters and the debris they carry.
 ♦ Sediment and debris deposited by the floodwaters.
 ♦ The potential for the channel to move across the fan during the flood.
. When a high-velocity flood runs through an area with sand or loose soil, the erosion and sedimentation can

occur so fast that the stream channel can be lowered, filled in or relocated through processes known as degradation,
aggradation and migration.
In some cases, these processes may occur simultaneously, or one process may occur in one flood and another

process in a later event.

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DAM BREAKS A break in a dam can produce an extremely dangerous flood situation because of the high
velocities and large volumes of water released by such a break. Sometimes they can occur with little or no
warning on clear days when people are not expecting rain, much less a flood.
Breaching often occurs within hours after the first visible signs of dam failure, leaving little or no time for evacuation. (As
noted in the earlier section on flash flooding, three of the four top killer floods in the 1970s were related to the failure of
a dam or dam-like structure.)
Dam breaks occur for one of three reasons:
♦The foundation fails due to seepage, settling or earthquake.
♦The design, construction, materials or operation were deficient. Floods and Floodplain Management 1-14
♦Flooding exceeds the capacity of the dam’s spillway.
Proper design can prevent dam breaks.
While dam safety programs can ensure that new dams are properly designed, there are still many private or

locally built dams that were poorly designed and maintained.

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Ice jams flooding generally occurs when warm weather and rain break up frozen rivers or
any time there is a rapid cycle of freezing and thawing.
The broken ice floats downriver until it is blocked by an obstruction such as a bridge
or shallow area .
An ice dam forms, blocking the channel and causing flooding upstream.
Likely Ice Jam Areas Ice jams present three hazards:
♦Sudden flooding of areas upstream from the jam, often on clear days with little or
no warning.
♦Movement of ice chunks (floes) that can push over trees and crush buildings
♦Sudden flooding of areas downstream when an ice jam breaks.
The impact is similar to a dam break, damaging or destroying buildings and
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structures.
MUDFLOW
 A mudflow is a type of landslide that occurs when runoff saturates the ground.
 Soil that is dry during dry weather turns into a liquid solution that slides downhill. .
The NFIP officially defines a “mudslide (i.e. mudflow)” as “a condition where there is a river,

flow or inundation of liquid mud down a hillside usually as a result of a dual condition of loss
of brush cover, and the subsequent accumulation of water on the ground preceded by a period
of unusually heavy or sustained rain.”
The NFIP provides flood insurance coverage for mudslides that meet this definition, but does

not map or require floodplain management measures in these areas.

What many people view as mudfloods are technically landslides and are not covered by the
NFIP.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
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FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS
Human development can have an adverse impact on floods and floodplains.
Three types of problems are reviewed here.
Riverine floodplains : The most obvious impact of development on riverine flooding
comes with moving or altering channels or constructing bridges and culverts with small
openings.
Construction and regrading of the floodplain can obstruct or divert water to other
areas.Levees and dikes are the best known examples of this, but even small construction projects have
an impact.
It also reduces the floodplain’s ability to store excess water, sending more water
downstream and causing floods to rise to higher levels. This also increases floodwater
velocity. 5
4
Watersheds Development.
 Buildings and parking lots replace the natural vegetation which used to absorb water.
Urban features alter flood dynamics as well. Storm sewers and more efficient ditches that come

with urban drainage systems speed flood flows.

The result of urbanization is that there is more runoff in the watershed and it moves faster,

increasing flooding downstream. Thus, a 10-year storm may produce the runoff equivalent of a 25-
year storm, overloading the man-made drainage system.
 Urbanization also changes the timing of flows along the tributaries.
If one subwatershed develops faster than another, the flood will leave sooner than it used to,

possibly arriving at the main channel at the same time as the peak arrives from another tributary,
causing increased flooding downstream.
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Coasts

 Coastal development similarly affects the dynamics of coastal flooding.

Removing the sand from beaches and dunes removes the natural barrier built up by flood

forces over the years and exposes inland areas to increased risk of flooding.

Coastal erosion is affected by construction of navigation channels, breakwaters, and jetties,

and mining of sand.

Often construction of barriers, seawalls, or even sandbag walls to protect buildings from

flooding or erosion has an adverse affect on properties at the end of the walls where erosion is

accelerated. 5
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FLOOD DAMAGE
Floodplains are home to between 8 and 10 million households. In an average year, floods kill
150 people and cause over $6 billion in property Knowing the impact of a potential hazard
— and guarding against it—is integral to administering a floodplain management program.
As a floodplain management administrator, you need to be knowledgeable about the five
main causes of flood damage:
♦Hydrodynamic forces
♦Debris impact
♦Hydrostatic forces
♦Soaking
♦Sediment and contaminants
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Hydrodynamic forces
Moving water creates a hydrodynamic force which can damage a building’s
walls in three ways:
♦Frontal impact, as water strikes the structure.
♦Drag effect, as water runs along the sides of a structure.
♦Eddies or negative pressures, created as water passes the downstream
side.
Hydrodynamic forces on a building.
The faster water moves, the more pressure it puts on a structure and the more
it will erode stream banks and scour the earth around a building’s foundation.
Floodwaters moving faster than 5 feet per second comprise a high-velocity
flood, requiring special design considerations for buildings, roads, bridges
and other manmade structures in its path.
Thus, no areas with moving floodwater can be considered safe for walking. 58
Debris impact
 Debris also increases the hazard posed by moving water.

Floodwaters can and will pick up anything that will float—logs, lumber, ice, even

propane tanks and vehicles

.Moving water will also drag or roll objects that don’t float.

All of this debris acts as battering rams that can knock holes in walls.

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Hydrostatic forces
The weight of standing water puts hydrostatic pressure on a structure. The deeper the water,

the more it weighs and the greater the hydrostatic pressure. Because water is fluid, it exerts the
same amount of pressure sideways (lateral pressure) as it does downward.
As water gets deeper, it exerts more lateral pressure than shallow water. Most walls are not

built to withstand lateral pressure.

 Studies and tests have shown that the lateral force presented by three feet of standing
water
can be enough to collapse the walls of a typical frame house.
 Basement walls and floors are particularly susceptible to damage by hydrostatic pressure.
Water in the ground underneath a flooded building will seek its own level – resulting in uplift

forces that can break a concrete basement floor . 60

Soaking
When soaked, many materials change their composition or shape.

Wet wood will swell, and if it is dried too fast it will crack, split or warp.

Plywood can come apart. Gypsum wallboard will fall apart if it is bumped before it dries

out. The longer these materials are wet, the more moisture they will absorb. Wooden

furniture may get so badly warped that it can't be used.

Other furnishings, such as upholstery, carpeting, mattresses and books, usually are not
worth drying out and restoring. Electrical appliances and gasoline engines won't work safely
until they are professionally dried and cleaned
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Sediment and contaminants
Many materials, including wood and fiberglass or cellulose insulation, absorb floodwater and
its sediment.
Even if allowed to dry out, the materials will still hold the sediment, salt and contaminants
brought by the flood.
Simply letting a flooded house dry out will not render it clean—and it certainly will not be as
healthy a place as it was before the flood.
Stormwater, snowmelt and river water pick up whatever was on the ground, such as soil, road
oil, and farm and lawn chemicals. If a wastewater treatment plant upstream was inundated, the
floodwaters will likely include untreated sewage.
After the water recedes or evaporates, these sediments are left on and in a building, and its
contents. 6
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SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS
Electrocution is the second most frequent cause of flood deaths, claiming lives in a flooded area
that is carrying a live current created when electrical components short.

Floods also can damage gas lines, floors and stairs, creating secondary hazards such gas leaks
and unsafe structures. If the water system loses pressure, a boil order may be issued to protect
people and animals from contaminated water.

Fire can be a result of too much water: floods can break gas lines, extinguish pilot lights, and
short circuit electrical wiring – causing conditions ripe for a fire.

Floods bring and leave health hazards in the form of animal carcasses, garbage and ponds that
can become breeding grounds for germs and mosquitoes.

Flooding, especially repetitive flooding, takes a toll on people's mental health.Stress comes
from facing the loss of time, money, property and personal possessions.
Children and the elderly are especially susceptible to stress from the disruption of their daily
routines. 6
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 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Strategy 1: Modify human susceptibility to flood damage Reduce disruption by avoiding
hazardous, uneconomic or unwise use of floodplains. Tools include:
♦Regulating floodplain use by using zoning codes to steer development away from
hazardous areas or natural areas deserving preservation, establishing rules for developing
subdivisions, and rigorously following building, health and sanitary codes.
♦Establishing development and redevelopment policies on the design and location of public
services, utilities and critical facilities.
♦Elevating or flood proofing new buildings and retrofitting existing ones.
♦Preparing people and property for flooding through forecasting, warning systems and
emergency plans.
♦Restoring and preserving the natural resources and functions of floodplains.
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65
Strategy 2: Modify the impact of flooding Assist individuals and communities to prepare
for, respond to and recover from a flood.
Tools include:

♦Providing information and education to assist self-help and protection measures.

♦Following flood emergency measures during a flood to protect people and property.

♦Reducing the financial impact of flooding through disaster assistance, flood

insurance and tax adjustments.

♦Preparing post-flood recovery plans and programs to help people rebuild and

implement mitigation measures to protect against future floods.

66
Strategy 3: Modify flooding itself Develop projects that control floodwater. Tools include:
♦Building dams and reservoirs that store excess water upstream from developed areas.
♦Building dikes, levees and floodwalls to keep water away from developed areas.
♦Altering channels to make them more efficient, so overbank flooding will be
less frequent.
♦Diverting high flows around developed areas.
♦Treating land to hold as much rain as possible where it falls, so it can infiltrate the
soil instead of running off.
♦Storing excess runoff with on-site detention measures.
♦Protecting inland development with shoreline protection measures that account for
the natural movement of shoreline features.
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♦Controlling runoff from areas under development outside the 7
Strategy 4: Preserve and restore natural resources Renew the vitality and purpose of
floodplains by re establishing and maintaining floodplain environments in their natural
state. Tools include: ♦ Floodplain, wetlands and coastal barrier resources or land use regulations,
such as zoning, can be used to steer development away from sensitive or natural areas.
♦Development and redevelopment policies on the design and location of public services, utilities and critical
facilities.
♦Land acquisition; open space preservation; permanent relocation of buildings; restoration of floodplains and
wetlands, and preservation of natural functions and habitats.
♦Information and education to make people aware of natural floodplain resources and functions and
how to protect them.
♦Tax adjustments to provide a financial initiative for preserving lands or restoring lands to their natural state.
♦Beach nourishment and dune building to protect inland development by maintaining the natural
flood protection features.
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Mitigation (Post – Flood Management)
 Rescue Operations
 Speedy restoration of the transport system
 Supply of safe drinking water
 Repair of power, telephone, and sewerage lines
 Supply of food, shelter, and clothing
 Survey to assess the loss and compensation
 Rehabilitation of properties
 Desilting and dewatering of inundated areas

 Future Plan for the agriculture sector

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