Key learning points

1. People have a variety of opinions on river management.
2. Building flood protection can increase flood risk downstream.
3. Areas of high economic value are more likely to receive funding for flood protection.
4. Slow the flow techniques are increasingly used to prevent flooding.

Keywords

• Stakeholder - any individual, group, or organisation that has an interest or concern in a particular geographical area, issue, or project

• Slow the flow - methods used to manage flood risk by reducing the speed and volume of water entering rivers in the upper catchment

• Cost benefit analysis - a decision-making tool that compares the cost of flood defenses with the economic value of what’s being protected

Common misconception