Given evidence from rivers that you have studied, assess the effectiveness of river management strategies.

One of the strategies is river re-sectioning. Re-sectioning is the widening and deepening of the river channel, hence increasing the channels cross-section shape and capacity and subsequently its hydraulic efficiency. This will mean quicker flow, lowering risks and chances of flooding. This method is hence effective in since the river can cope with increased discharge. On the other hand, the method is expensive due to high cost needed for dredging and expansion of river, hence many developing countries may not adopt this method. The eco-system may be affected. The effectiveness also depends on whether a concrete substrate replaces the widened river banks and bed. If that is done, the method will be effective as the quicker flow will not cause erosion, and increase hydraulic efficiency. If it involves merely the widening of the river without any protection of the bank and bed, there may be more erosion of the bank, and more sediment will pile on the bed since it is now deeper. In addition, there is also the question of whether the lower course can cope with the increase discharge upstream. For example, in Singapore, both the Singapore River and Kallang River have been extensively altered by widening and deepening the channels. Certain sections, especially those near Kallang built-up urban areas, have had their banks reinforced by artificial embankments. River realignment or straightening of river is another method which is adopted by many countries. This is the removal of meanders and loops by cutting a new shorter route for the river to flow. Due to the shorter length, gradient is increased, leading to quicker flow. However, it may not look attractive and eco-system may be affected. In addition, flooding downstream is likely to occur. This method is also expensive and may involve a large area, hence the environment and land-use will be disrupted/affected. As such implementation of such methods is done by countries which can afford it. An example is that in USA, Mississippi River is shortened by 240km to reduce the threat of flooding and this is because by increasing the speed of the river, chances of water overflowing the river would be minimized. Another method is bank protection which is the building of structure on the river bank to protect it against river currents. The banks can also be built higher to protect it from overflowing. They prevent banls from collapsing during heavy rain when volume of flow dramatically increases. This method can be effective since bank protection means lesser erosion and sedimentation in the river, hence reducing the risks of flooding. However, the type of material also determines the effectiveness of the method. If concrete is used, it will be highly effective but cost is a factor. Materials like clay may be cheaper but it can also be eroded easily, hence may not be effective in the long run. An example is in Mississippi River, where levees were used to reinforce the realignment of the river and the levees keep high water from flooding Gretna, Louisiana in 2005. Another method is planting vegetation. This soft engineering method requires planting trees and grasses on the banks to hold the soil firmly, preventing erosion and washing away of sediments. In addition, the trees will also break the impact of rain, increase infiltration and decrease sudden overflow, thereby reducing the risk of flooding. However, maintenance and

clearance have to be done regularly, as debris may collect in the channel and act as obstacle to the flow. In addition, other land-use could be more profitable, hence this method will incur opportunity cost of using the land for other purposes like industries. Large area of land is used hence it is not suitable for land-scare places. However, due to the low cost needed, many developing countries adopt this method. However, persistent flooding may still take place, likely due to lack of debris clearance and illegal cutting down of tree at the river banks. An example which has been planted vegetation would be the Mekong River in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam to prevent flooding from occurring and protecting the mangroves along the river. -Vegetation Clearance (HYKs essay) Improve the speed of flow and stabilize river channel As weight of vegetation, especially trees, would add on to bank stress and cause collapse of banks Vegetation may contribute woody debris to river which may deflect the flow of water and accelerate bank erosion Example: clearance was carried out on Geylang River near Tanjong Rhu