Ways to Stop Floodwaters

Flood Plain Management

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that responds to disasters. When it comes to floods, they utilize the floodplain management program as a corrective and preventative measure for reducing flood damage. This plan utilizes zoning, building construction standards and special-purpose floodplain ordinances to stop floodwaters before they overtake a city. Floodplain Management programs are also designed to help communities develop sound floodplain management programs which include stopping the flow of floodwaters once they occur.

Wetlands

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands act as natural sponges that trap and slowly release floodwaters when they overflow an area. Wetlands are also known as swamps, bogs and marshes and vegetation such as trees and root mats play a role in reducing floodwaters while distributing them over floodplains. This action diminishes land erosion and lowers floodwaters significantly. Wetlands also hold water and prevent crop devastation from too much water. Flood protection is one of the reasons why the EPA establishes laws, regulations, practices and standards for wetland areas within the United States.

Levees

• According to FEMA, levees are earthen embankments that are constructed and designed to stop the flow of floodwaters when they occur. These man-made flood protection systems were also created to contain, control or divert the flow of floodwaters. There has to be a significant amount of rainfall before a levee fails to keep back floodwaters. FEMA also points out that the U.S. has thousands of miles of levee systems -- some designed for agricultural areas and others for urban regions.

Dams and Erosion Prevention

• Dams are man-made structures that resemble large walls. One purpose for their construction is to hold back waters from flooding rivers and their surrounding territory. Dams also serve the purpose of protecting areas from flooding by containing massive amounts of rainwater. When there is a high amount of land within an area it helps to reduce flooding. Land erosion will occur when floodwaters displace large amounts of soil during a flooding incident. Trees, plants and large rocks are natural barriers that prevent floodwaters from eroding an area and are typically developed and implemented in places that are prone to flooding.