A record snowfall makes the river water level in the Great Plains rise

Summer in the Great Plains region of the United States, often characterized by scarce water resources, rivers and streams often only flow seasonally ...

Summer in the Great Plains (the largest part of the Great Plains is the High Plains) stretching along the western edge of the region, from southern Texas north to southern Nebraska) of the United States, often It is characterized by the scarcity of water resources, rivers and streams often only flow seasonally. However, floods in some States in the United States have reversed this trend and it is likely that in the near future it will no longer be the High Plains in 2011, according to Dai's geographic expert. Kansas State University, USA.

Richard Marston, a famous professor and head of the Department of Geography, Kansas State University, USA, said: Some mountainous states still retain 200% of normal snow in this season . The ground is still wet due to the rain in spring, causing the next flow. This has contributed to flooding in North Dakota and along the Missouri River. Most likely, floods also occur along the front of the Rocky Mountains.

Picture 1 of A record snowfall makes the river water level in the Great Plains rise

Today, the Great Plains is America's leading wheat producing region, and primarily thanks to the prosperous domestic agriculture of Great Plains, which has become the world's leading wheat exporter.

" When the temperature warms up, especially when there are warm rains on the snow, the snow and ice on the mountain will melt and create a lot of flow, " Marston said. " This will also cause flooding in the lowlands. "

The Souris River, which flooded the city of Minot, North Dakota, USA, is like many other rivers in the Great Plains, according to Marston. Rivers with low slopes will slow down the speed of water, which allows water to rush in and constantly accumulate.

The decision related to Flood Prevention also worsened the level of damage, especially in North Dakota, USA. Traditional dykes have been adopted as effective flood control methods and have been deployed on a large scale. Try to control the record high flow of river water through traditional dykes, but eliminate nearby wetlands, which are the area to store water when flooding occurs. This is a real problem that has negatively affected flood prevention, according to Marston.

" Back in the early 1900s, the total damage to the flood in the United States was about $ 100,000 per year ," Marston said. " Now, the average spend about billions of dollars every year ."

Another factor contributing to the increase in flooding has been developed in the flood plain . Includes natural concrete and asphalt ground coating, combined with weather events, creating more flows, Marston said. Many areas, including some areas in Manhattan, the United States also need to redo flood maps to specify risk areas.

The flood forced the US Army Corps of Engineers to implement a series of tough decisions, which is also the federal agency responsible for public works projects. In May, the Mississippi River floodwaters threatened New Orleans. To ease the burden on the dike around the city, the engineering corps chose to flood the small town and agricultural land in rural Missouri. The Army Corps of Engineers took advantage of their system to do this, Marston said.

" The situation is more complicated when people affect the natural flow of rivers ," Marston added. " When we begin to influence the connection between rivers and flooded areas, everything at first sight can be within reach for a certain period of time, but eventually we will pay a price . "

Floods in North Dakota and along the Missouri River have been described by various sources in the context of 100 to 500 years of flooding. A 100-year flood is often regarded as a one-time flooded area in 100 years, Marston said. Instead, a 100-year flood means that 1% chance of an area can be flooded every year. This may cause major decisions about the development or residence of areas in the future floodplain.

" This depends on our decision ," Marston said. " Many times the damage from flooding is the same as the completion of the house and then breaking off. "

The impact on countless flood-related problems will lead to a comprehensive effort, according to Marston.Focus should be shifted from economic development in flooded areas and must focus on changing flood protection methods according to the actual situation , Marston said. Planning land use: providing alternative solutions for dams and traditional dykes.

" I tend to support a flood management approach depending on the actual situation, " Marston said. " The historical effect of preventing damage from floods, of dams and the traditional dyke is too obvious in the United States, but what will happen once a huge flood happens? there is a dyke that is strong enough to stop them . "

Update 16 December 2018
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