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      Example of a UK flood management scheme: Carlisle

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use an example to discuss reasons, strategies and issues connected to a flood management scheme.

      Key learning points

      1. Carlisle is located in northwest England. It lies at the confluence of three rivers.
      2. Carlisle has experienced several major flooding events.
      3. £25 million was invested in a flood management scheme, combining hard engineering and soft engineering strategies.
      4. 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.

      Teacher tip

      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.

      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?

      Steep valley sides
      Correct answer: Deforestation
      Heavy rainfall
      Impermeable rock

      Q2.
      What process occurs when a river drops the material it is transporting?

      Erosion
      Transportation
      Correct answer: Deposition
      Weathering

      Q3.
      Which course of a river is most likely to have waterfalls and gorges?

      Correct answer: Upper course
      Middle course
      Lower course
      Estuary

      Q4.
      What is a floodplain?

      A valley with steep sides
      A dry area far from a river
      Correct answer: A flat area next to a river that floods regularly
      An artificial barrier built to stop floods

      Q5.
      What does prolonged rainfall do to the soil?

      Makes it more fertile
      Correct answer: Saturates it
      Hardens it
      Cools it down

      Q6.
      What is the total amount of material carried by a river called?

      Load pressure
      Water volume
      Correct answer: Sediment load
      River basin

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the main purpose of a flood management scheme?

      To increase river speed
      To remove rivers from towns
      Correct answer: To reduce the risk and impact of flooding
      To create new farmland

      Q2.
      Which of these is an example of hard engineering used in Carlisle?

      Correct answer: Flood walls and embankments
      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?

      Dam construction
      Correct answer: River restoration
      Flood walls
      Levees

      Q4.
      Why might some people wrongly believe that flood management is completely effective?

      Because it uses natural features
      Because rivers are easy to control
      Correct answer: Because they think it can stop all flooding
      Because it only uses soft engineering

      To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Example of a UK flood management scheme: Carlisle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...