Reconnecting Floodplains to Rivers

Reconnecting Floodplains to Rivers

Reconnecting Floodplains to Rivers

Gerry Galloway
Gerry Galloway

In the next issue of Science, scientists and engineers including Gerry Galloway, Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, recommend converting certain areas, now protected from low-level flooding, into natural flood dissipation areas. This will prevent flooding disasters that are normally the result of levee-breaks and other failures of existing flood-prevention infrastructure, the researchers say.

This floodplain reconnection will help alleviate the consequences of flooding when it occurs by encouraging flood-tolerant land uses in the floodplain areas and by providing more areas for water to go when rivers crest. In the article, the researchers suggest methods for negotiating the political and economic roadblocks that must be overcome to implement their plan and provide a case study of a successful floodplain reconnection: California's Yolo Bypass of the Sacramento River.

"Sustainable Floodplains through Large-Scale Reconnection to Rivers" is available in the December 11, 2009, issue of the publication. Subscribers can read the article online.

Related Articles:
"Could We Have Been Better Prepared?"
Galloway Contributes to Report on Disaster Resilience
Galloway Tapped for International Position

December 10, 2009


Prev   Next

Current Headlines

"Rare but Devastating": Maisel Honored for Immunotherapy Research to Treat Deadly Lung Disease in Women

Gemstone Team Wins 2023 ‘Do Good’ Showcase Prize to Build Wildfire Drone

Reflecting on 20 Years of Excellence and Innovation

Looking Back on the Fall 2023 Semester, Looking Forward to Sharing a New Strategic Plan in 2024

Revolutionizing Water Access: Aquair Wins 2023 R&D 100 Award

Barg honored with 2024 IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal

UMD Hosts Industrial AI Forum

UMD Start-Up Ionic Devices Wins Microbattery Design Prize

News Resources

Return to Newsroom

Search News

Archived News

Events Resources

Events Calendar