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River Engineering
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Few of our rivers, particularly in an urban environment, are natural. Engineeers have changed the alignment, levels and profile of the channel to suit ourselves. The weir, bridge and banks in the photograph are all artificial, and the level in the river is managed to benefit the amenity of the town. Left to its own devices, the river would be very different. Less obviously, the river systems of our country are managed and the levels controlled, so far as possible. Flood defence systems, sluices and control gates all affect the flow of the river. |
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There is little or no control over the water entering the river system, although this may change with time and the introduction of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. Developments in agriculture and urbanisation in the river catchments have increased the amount of rainfall entering the rivers, and increased the rate of runoff. Even without the possible effects of global warming, this has increased the load on our river systems. It is not practicable to construct rivers to cope with the maximum possible flood, only for the typical flows. In more extreme events, the river will flood. Engineers have to design, implement and manage the rivers and control structures for the benefit of a wide range of interests. The advent of computerised hydraulic modelling systems, and improving understanding of the hydrology of river catchments, helps engineers to understand why the river behaves as it does, and the effect of possible modifications. |
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