Key learning points

1. Hard engineering is the building of fixed structures to help prevent river flooding.
2. Soft engineering is working with nature to reduce the risk of river flooding.
3. There are economical and environmental costs and benefits to different types of flood management.
4. Flood management in one part of the river will have an effect on other parts of the river downstream.

Keywords

• Hard engineering - the building of fixed structures to help prevent river flooding

• Soft engineering - working with nature to reduce the risk of river flooding

• Costs and benefits - the negative aspects of doing something and good reasons for doing it

• Mitigate - making the effects of something less severe

• Flood risk - the probability of a flood event occurring and its potential impact

Common misconception