Yes, You Can Help Stop Flooding

It seems like rain events across the country more and more often are turning into flood events. National news articles on the subject often point immediately to climate change. See this recent Huffpost article as an example. While it is possible that climate change is causing heavy rain events; this explanation on its own seems too simplistic and begs a simple question, "Why can't rivers handle heavy rains?"

Bodies of water (rivers, lakes, ponds, creeks, etc) flood when they fill more quickly than what they are able to contain and distribute water. I experience a similar phenomenon sometimes when filling my water can, if I fill it quickly some water escapes via the spout (ie the natural course of the river) but other water may come gushing of out the top.

Okay, so bodies of water flood when you fill them too fast; that's not exactly revolutionary, so it's the fault of climate change, right?

Not exactly. The volume of water in a rain event isn't the only thing at play. The speed at which the water reaches its destination is a factor. The amount of water from the total volume of rain which is directed to the destination is also a factor.

Elementary school science teaches us that water seeks the low point. Driven by gravity run-off makes its way across the landscaping seeking low points and ending up in creeks, rivers, and streams. Water moves more quickly when it encounters a nonporous surface: a driveway or parking lot for example, but even compacted soils.

Of course not all rain becomes run-off, some infiltrates the ground, feeds plants, and otherwise ends up in aquifers. Compacted soils and soils without root diversity are harder for water to infiltrate.

Natural wetlands also factor in. They are able to serve a number of purposes. They act as buffers to slow run-off headed towards bodies of water; they may help with water infiltration, and they can act as buffers when the flood waters begin to rise.

So what can you do?

It all starts in your backyard.

Add rain barrels to help capture water which runs-off from your house.

Use permeable paving to allow for some water infiltration on otherwise nonporous surfaces.

Landscape. Consider adding a rain garden. Plant native flowers and grasses as well as trees. A diversity of plants will help the slow the rains down and help improve water infiltration. Consider even how much rain is collected in the leaves and branches of a mature tree.

Keep your curb and clear so the storm water sewers can direct run off to retention ponds.

Lastly, beyond your yard, get involved. Question development on natural wetlands or which would require draining natural wetlands. Ultimately these areas often end up flooding anyway because they are the lowing lying places the water wants to go.

Now imagine if you weren't alone in these efforts, and your whole neighborhood pitched in or your town. Change starts at home with you and me and can spread one person at a time.