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Example of a UK flood management scheme: Carlisle
I can use an example to discuss reasons, strategies and issues connected to a flood management scheme.
Lesson 7 of 9
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Example of a UK flood management scheme: Carlisle
I can use an example to discuss reasons, strategies and issues connected to a flood management scheme.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Carlisle is located in northwest England. It lies at the confluence of three rivers.
- Carlisle has experienced several major flooding events.
- £25 million was invested in a flood management scheme, combining hard engineering and soft engineering strategies.
- There were social, economic and environmental issues associated with the example flood management scheme.
Keywords
Severity - the seriousness or intensity of a natural hazard or event, such as a flood
Hard engineering - use of artificial structures and technologies to control natural processes, such as flooding or river erosion
Soft engineering - uses natural processes and landscape features to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion
Common misconception
Flood management can stop flooding of an area.
Flood management cannot stop flooding, but it can reduce the risk, frequency, and impact of floods.
A throrough understanding of the costs and benefits of flood management strategies is important before this lesson. Students could then justify their own ideas for the flood management strategy.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a human factor that can increase the risk of flooding?
Which of the following is a human factor that can increase the risk of flooding?
Steep valley sides
Heavy rainfall
Impermeable rock
Q2.What process occurs when a river drops the material it is transporting?
What process occurs when a river drops the material it is transporting?
Erosion
Transportation
Weathering
Q3.Which course of a river is most likely to have waterfalls and gorges?
Which course of a river is most likely to have waterfalls and gorges?
Middle course
Lower course
Estuary
Q4.What is a floodplain?
What is a floodplain?
A valley with steep sides
A dry area far from a river
An artificial barrier built to stop floods
Q5.What does prolonged rainfall do to the soil?
What does prolonged rainfall do to the soil?
Makes it more fertile
Hardens it
Cools it down
Q6.What is the total amount of material carried by a river called?
What is the total amount of material carried by a river called?
Load pressure
Water volume
River basin
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of a flood management scheme?
What is the main purpose of a flood management scheme?
To increase river speed
To remove rivers from towns
To create new farmland
Q2.Which of these is an example of hard engineering used in Carlisle?
Which of these is an example of hard engineering used in Carlisle?
Planting trees in the upper course
Allowing rivers to flood naturally
Removing buildings from the floodplain
Q3.Which of the following is a soft engineering method?
Which of the following is a soft engineering method?
Dam construction
Flood walls
Levees
Q4.Why might some people wrongly believe that flood management is completely effective?
Why might some people wrongly believe that flood management is completely effective?
Because it uses natural features
Because rivers are easy to control
Because it only uses soft engineering
