1.

1 River Processes and Landforms (Foundation)

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1a know the meaning of the following drainage basin
terms: watershed, confluence, tributary, source and mouth.

Watershed: The
Source: Where a boundary between
river starts. two drainage basins

Confluence: The
point where two
rivers join.
Tributary: A smaller
river that flows into
the main channel.
Mouth: The
end of a river.

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1b The impact of weathering, erosion and mass

movement on river landscapes.

Key Point

Rivers are channels of water which drain the land’s surface. They erode, transport and deposit
materials, creating steep valleys and wide floodplains. As river’s cut into the landscape they
uncover bedrock, leading to further change through weathering and mass movement.
 Mass movement
(e.g. slumping)
The weathered
causes the
Weathering rock is picked up
loosened In areas of low
by the river and
(e.g. freeze-thaw) material to move energy the river
leads to erosion
breaks up the down slope. deposits its load,
(e.g. abrasion).
hillsides and creating beaches.
weakens the
bedrock.

Processes of Movement

Soil Creep Surface runoff slowly moving soil downhill.

Slumping Area of saturated land slips downhill.

Processes of Weathering

Physical (Freeze-Thaw) Rock breaks due to changes in temperature

Biological Plants and animals break-up the rock.

Chemical Acid in rainwater dissolves the rock.

Processes of Erosion

Corrosion (Solution) Material dissolved by the river

Abrasion (Corrasion) Load wears away river channel

Hydraulic Action Force of current dislodges loose material

Attrition Load collides

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1c Understand how river characteristics change.

Source Middle Mouth

Eroded bedrock
Eroded bedrock –– Bedrock eroded into
Large / Angular Bedrock smoother and smaller
smoother and smaller fine silt and sand
SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1d The formation of interlocking spurs, waterfalls,
meanders, river-cliffs, oxbow lakes, flood plains and levees.

The Upper Course

The V-Shape Valleys & Interlocking Spurs

1. The river erodes downwards.

2. The exposed sides are attacked by freeze-thaw
weathering.
3. Mass movement (e.g. slumping) causes the loosened
material to move into the river.
4. The river carries its new load downstream creating a v-
shaped valley.
5. In places, bands of hard rock force the river to ‘wiggle’,
these outcrops are known as spurs and they usually form
an interlocking pattern.
 Waterfall Waterfalls and Gorges
retreats
Overhang
1. Waterfalls form where there are layers of hard
Hard Rock and soft rock.

Eroded 2. The weaker rock is eroded leaving the hard rock

Undercuttin
Material undercut.
g
3. Eventually the hard rock will collapse due to a
Soft Rock lack of support, moving the waterfall backwards.

4. Over time the moving waterfall creates a steep

Plunge
rocky valley known as a gorge.
Pool

6 Exam Question: Explain how gorges form (6 marks).

Grade C Response

The soft rock at the bottom of the waterfall is

rapidly eroded by hydraulic action. As the soft rock
s is eroded the hard rock becomes undercut creating
support an overhang. The overhang will become too heavy
ll to and will break off. This process will repeat itself
again and again, causing the waterfall to move
back which makes a gorge.

and Level 3 – 6 marks. Refers to the entire process and

steps’ includes a number of subject specific terms.

The Middle Course

As a river moves into its middle course it begins to erode laterally, leading to the formation of
meanders and the creation of a floodplain.
The Outside of a Meander

Deeper Water Less Friction

More Energy Faster Speed

Erosion River Cliff

The Inside of a Meander

Shallow Water More Friction

Little Energy Less Speed

Deposition Slip-off Slope

Floodplains

In a river’s middle course the river begins to meander. As the river erodes and deposits is creates an
area of flat land known as a floodplain. When a river floods, water covers this flat area and drops a
layer of silt, which builds-up over time to form a fertile soil known as alluvium. As the river flows
towards its mouth, it meanders more and more and the floodplain becomes larger and larger.
The Lower Course

Ox-bow lakes form when meanders loop back on themselves (forming an almost closed curve).
Erosion cuts through the narrow meander neck whilst deposition blocks off the entrance to the old
meander, separating the ox-bow lake from the river.

Levees form during times of flood. As the river leaves its channel there is a sudden loss of energy,
resulting in the river depositing much of its load immediately next to the main channel. Overtime this
deposition builds up creating a natural embankment called a levee.

EXAM PRACTICE

1. What term is used to describe the boundary between two drainage basins?

a) Watershed
b) Confluence
c) Source
d) tributary

2. What term is used to describe how a rock can be broken down by nature without
moving?

a) Erosion
b) Abrasion
c) Deposition
d) Weathering
 3. Use the wordbox to complete the following statements. (2)

Gorge Mass Movement Flood Plain

V-shaped Valley Weathering Hydraulic Action action

At a waterfall the soft rock is eroded by abrasion and ........................ .

As the soft rock erodes the overlaying hard rock becomes undercut and eventually
collapses, causing the waterfall to move upstream.

As the waterfall retreat, a steep rocky valley known as a ........................ is created.

4. Describe ONE process of mass

movement. (2)

5. Identify the features A and B (2)

6. Outline how a river’s characteristics

change between its source and mouth.
(4)
A
7. Using diagrams to help you, describe why waterfalls retreats. (6)

Getting the C: If you include a diagram in your

answer make sure it is clear and easy to follow.
Getting the C: Always read questions carefully and
Use labels, annotations and colour coding to
pay particular attention to command terms. A
1.1 River Processes and Landforms (Higher)
describe question requires extending statements for
highlight key features.
full marks.

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1a know the meaning of the following drainage basin
terms: watershed, confluence, tributary,Getting
sourcethe C: On
and Paper Two you maybe
mouth.
Getting the C: On multi- required to identify landforms on maps,
choice and fill the gap photographs and diagrams. On map based
activities, if you don’t know questions contour lines are often helpful;
– guess! particularly when identifying valley features,
Watershed: The
such as floodplains.
Source: Where a boundary between
river starts. two drainage basins

Confluence: The
SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1b The impact of weathering, erosion and mass
movement on river landscapes.

Key Point

Rivers are channels of water which drain the land’s surface. They erode, transport and deposit
materials, creating steep valleys and wide floodplains. As river’s cut into the landscape they
expose bedrock, leading to further change through weathering and mass movement.

The In areas of
weathered low energy
Mass Weathered
rock is picked the river
Weathering movement
up by the river and eroded deposits its
breaks up the causes the
and hit material is load, creating
hillsides near weathered
against the rolled and point bars
the river’s material to
channel sides carried and beaches.
source. fall into the
(erosion). downstream
river.
(transport).
 Processes of Movement

Soil Creep Surface runoff slowly moving soil downhill.

Slumping Area of saturated land slips downhill.

Processes of Weathering

Physical (Freeze-Thaw) Rock breaks due to changes in temperature

Biological Plants and animals break-up the rock.

Chemical Acid in rainwater dissolves the rock.

Processes of Erosion

Corrosion (Solution) Material dissolved by the river

Abrasion (Corrasion) Load wears away river channel

Hydraulic Action Force of current dislodges loose material

Attrition Load collides

Processes of Transportation

Traction Rolling of large load

Saltation Bouncing of smaller load

Suspension Fine material held within the water

Solution Rocks dissolved within the water

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1c Understand how river characteristics change.

Source Middle Mouth

Eroded bedrock
Eroded bedrock –– Bedrock eroded into
Large / Angular Bedrock smoother and
smoother and smaller
smaller fine silt and sand

Narrow / Shallow channel Channel wider and deeper Deep and wide channel

Flow slowed by friction Less friction so faster flow Little friction resulting in a fast
flow
 SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.1d The formation of interlocking spurs, waterfalls,
meanders, river-cliffs, oxbow lakes, flood plains and levees.

The Upper Course

The V-Shape Valleys & Interlocking Spurs

6. The river erodes vertically into the bed through corrosion and hydraulic Action.
7. The exposed channel sides are attacked by freeze-
thaw weathering.
8. Mass movement (e.g. slumping) and overland flow
causes the loosened material to move into the river
channel.
9. The river transport’s its new load downstream
through traction and saltation.
10. In places, bands of hard rock force the river to
‘wiggle’, these outcrops are known as spurs and
usually form an interlocking pattern.

Waterfalls and Gorges

Waterfall
retreats
Overhang 1. Waterfalls and rapids usually form where bands
of harder rock cross the channel.
Hard Rock
2. The weaker rock is eroded by abrasion and
Eroded hydraulic action, undercutting the hard rock
Undercuttin
Material whilst deepening the plunge pool.
g
3. Eventually the over hanging hard rock will
Soft Rock collapse due to a lack of support, causing the
waterfall to move back.
Plunge
Pool 4. This process has happens again and again, as
the waterfall retreats upstream a steep rocky
valley is created, known as a gorge.

-bow Exam Question: Explain the formation of ox-bow

lakes (6 marks).

Grade A Response

Due to erosion (abrasion) on the outside and

other deposition on the inside, meanders migrate over
d called their floodplain. In places they migrate towards
eating a each other, forming a meander neck. The neck is
n oxbow eventually eroded creating a faster, straighter route
for the river. As little water now flows around the
loop, deposition blocks off the old bend, forming a
oxbow lake.
The Middle Course

As a river moves into its middle course it begins to erode laterally, leading to the formation of
meanders and the creation of a floodplain.

The Outside of a Meander

Deeper Water Less Friction

More Energy Faster Speed

Erosion River Cliff

The Inside of a Meander

Shallow Water More Friction

Little Energy Less Speed

Deposition Slip-off Slope

 A* Knowledge: The force that pushes the river’s water towards the outer bank
on a bend is called centri-fugal force. It’s the same force that throws you
outwards on a fairground ride or roundabout.

A* Knowledge: Eroded material on one meander is transported across the channel to be

deposited on the beach of the next meander by helicordial flow. This is ‘cockscrew’ motion,
sometimes creates little whirlpools on the river’s surface.

Floodplains

In a river’s middle course lateral erosion causes the river’s meanders to migrate. As the river erodes
and deposits is creates an area of flat land, known as a floodplain. When a river floods, water inundates
this flat area and deposits a covering of silt. Over time thick layers of silt can build-up leading to the
creation of alluvium soil. As the river moves towards its mouth, it meanders more and more and the
floodplain becomes larger and larger.
 The Lower Course

Ox-bow lakes form when meanders loop back on themselves (forming an almost closed curve).
Erosion cuts through the narrow meander neck whilst deposition blocks off the entrance to the old
meander, separating the ox-bow lake from the river.

Levees form during times of flood. As the river leaves its channel there
A* Knowledge: can you
is a sudden loss of energy, resulting in the river depositing much of its
explain why levee collapse
load immediately next to the main channel. Overtime this deposition
can often lead to
builds up creating a natural embankment called a levee.
devastating flooding?

EXAM PRACTICE

1. What is meant by the following terms?

(i) Confluence (1)
(ii) Watershed (1)

2. Describe ONE way a river can erode

its channel. (2)

3. (a) Identify the feature A. (1) B

(b) Explain how it was formed (3)
A

4. Describe how a river’s characteristics change between its source and mouth.
(4)

5. Using diagrams to help you, explain how landform ‘B’ has been created. (6)

A* Tip: If you include a diagram in your

A* Tip: Always read questions carefully and pay answer make sure it is clear and easy to
particular attention to command terms. A describe follow. Use labels, annotations and colour
question requires extending statements for full coding to highlight key features.
marks.
1.2 Flooding (Foundation)
A* Tip: When a landform question has the A* Tip: On Paper Two you maybe required to
‘explain’ command term you need to identify identify landforms on maps, photographs and
the main processes of change and link these diagrams. On map based questions contour lines
to landform development. are often helpful; particularly when identifying
 SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.2a The physical and human causes of river flooding.

A flood is when a river bursts its banks and water inundates the surrounding land. Flooding can be
caused by both human and physical factors:

Physical Factors

 Heavy or continuous rainfall

 Impermeable surfaces, such as dry or frozen soil.

 Snow melt in spring

 steep gradients shorten lag time.

Human Factors

 Deforestation reduces transpiration and increases surface runoff.

 Urbanisation – building new houses and roads leads to the land being covered in impermeable
materials, such as tarmac and concrete. As rainfall is unable to soak into the surface, water
flows into the drains and directly to the river.

 Climate change has lead to more unpredictable rainfall patterns and more extreme weather
events, such as strong storms.

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.2b The effects of river flooding on people and the
environment.

Effects on People Effects of Flooding

Effects on the Environment
1. Property damaged 1. Habitats destroyed
2. Lives threatened
3. Businesses Affected 2. Wildlife endangered
4. Transport disrupted
5. Farming affected 3. Food chains disrupted
6. Loss of Power 4. Silt fertilises soil
7. Phone service down
8. Increased insurance 5. Soil eroded

6. Landslides

7. River systems polluted

8. Diseases spread.
SPECIFICATION TARGET 2.2c Prediction and prevention

Forecasting Flooding

 The MET Office uses satellites to forecast future storms.

 When heavy rain is predicted the MET Office issues a weather warning.
 River levels are also monitored by the Environment Agency.
 Flood warnings are issued when high water levels are predicted.
 Warnings are broadcast on radio and television, given out in local newspapers and are
available through various websites.
 Local authorities have emergency action plans, these often involve the putting the emergency
services on alert.

Building Design

Waterproof paints and Concrete floors to prevent

plastic wall coverings flood water seeping through
used to decorate
property

Plug sockets placed Expensive furniture and

halfway up the wall important documents
kept upstairs

Water-tight doors and

flood gates fitted to Built on stilts – Hopefully flood
hold back water waters won’t reach the house.

Planning
Local authorities also try to limit flood damage by imposing planning restrictions on areas prone to
flooding, or areas which could increase the flood risk elsewhere. Unfortunately, due to high demand
for new housing, some authorities have agreed to new building programmes on floodplain land.
Engineering

The impact of flooding can be reduced by engineering – flood defence programmes are described as
being either hard or soft:

 Hard defences make significant changes to the natural river channel. They are costly to build and
maintain but most are long lasting and effective.
 Soft defences are less expensive, however they often require large areas of land. Although soft
defences reduce the risk of flooding, they are normally less effective than hard techniques.

Flood Protection Measure

Type Hard Soft

Strategy Dams River Channel Afforestation Washlands

Modification
(Planting trees)

Benefits 1. Stop floods by 1. Straightening 1. Intercepts 1. Allowing

controlling the and deepening rainfall; some parts of
amount of water the channel the river to
2. Holds soil in
released. allows a large flood naturally
place reducing
amount of water reduces risk in
2. Can be used to erosion;
to flow quickly urban areas;
generate electricity
through the 3. Relatively
2. Flooding
3. Recreation river. cheap;
leads to
opportunities.
4. Creates marshlands –
habitats for important
wildlife; ecosystems.

5. Recreation
opportunities.

Drawbacks 1. Expensive; 1. Expensive; 1. Floods still 1. Floods still

occur; occur;
2. Soil can be 2. Costs a lot to
trapped maintain; 2. Large areas of 2. Productive
land needed; farmland may
3. May spoil the 3. Destroys
be lost;
view habitats; 3. Forests need
to be carefully 3. Local
4. Looks ugly and
managed to residents may
Un-natural;
maximise effect. have to move.
5. Moves flood
risk
downstream.
 EXAM PRACTICE

1. Which of the flooding flood impacts effected the environment? (1)

a) Increased insurance premiums
b) Businesses forced to close
c) Habitats destroyed
d) Furniture damaged

2. State TWO physical causes of flooding (2)

3. Outline why building new houses may increase the risk of flooding. (3)

4. Give two effects of flooding on people (2)

5. Name TWO forms of hard flood defences. (2)

6. Describe how building design can reduce flood damage. (4)

7. Outline the advantages of using soft techniques to prevent flooding. (3)

Getting the C: The command term ‘outline’ requires

you to ‘give the main points’. Although this usually
Getting the C: There is no need1.2 Flooding (Higher)
involves a list of statements, try to avoid bullet-
to provide extending statements points. On ‘outline’ questions you will be rewarded
when the command word is for including extending statement.
either: Name, Give orTARGET:
SPECIFICATION State. 2.2a The physical and human causes of river flooding.

Getting the C: Take care with spelling

and grammar. Literacy is becoming a
A flood is when a river bursts its banks and water inundates the surrounding land. Flooding can be
more important element of the exam
caused by both human and physical factors:
process. Careless spelling errors could
cost you important points.

Physical Factors

 Severe weather such as heavy or continuous precipitation (rainfall) is the most common
cause of river flooding in the UK.
  Impermeable surfaces, such as baked or saturated soil, increases surface flow and the
amount of water entering the river system.

 Snow melt in spring can lead to flooding in mountainous regions where thick layers of snow
have built-up over the winter.

 In upland areas with steep gradients there is little time for water to infiltrate into the soil,
shortening lag time.

Human Factors

 In wooded areas trees may intercept rainfall, trapping rainwater on their leaves. Additional
rainwater may be absorbed by their roots and released back to the atmosphere through
transpiration. When forests are cut down (deforested) less rainwater is intercepted and
transpired so more water reaches the river and gets their quicker.

 In urban areas, the landscape is made up of mainly

impermeable surfaces. As rainfall is unable to
penetrate the surface, water flows into the drains
and directly to the river. Sloping roofs also increased
run-off and reduce surface storage.

 Changing farming techniques have lead to increased

surface runoff. Up-and-down ploughing channels
rainwater quickly downhill shortening lag time.

 The extensive use of fossil fuels and changing farming practices, have increased the amount of
greenhouses (e.g. carbon dioxide and methane) in our atmosphere. These gases ‘trap-in’ the sun’s
heat warming our climate. Higher global temperatures have lead to an increase in extreme
weather conditions, such as hurricanes and droughts, and increasingly unpredictable rainfall
patterns.

SPECIFICATION TARGET: 2.2b The effects of river flooding on people and the
environment.

Effects on People Effects of Flooding

Effects on the Environment
9. Property damaged 1. Habitats destroyed
10. Lives threatened
11. Businesses Affected 2. Wildlife endangered
12. Transport disrupted
13. Farming affected 3. Food chains disrupted
14. Loss of Power 4. Silt fertilises soil
15. Phone service down
16. Increased insurance 5. Soil eroded

6. Landslides

7. River systems polluted

8. Diseases spread.
SPECIFICATION TARGET 2.2c Prediction and prevention

Forecasting Flooding

In Britain, satellites and sophisticated modelling software are used to forecast future weather events.
When flood conditions are predicted the MET Office issues a weather warning to alert people of
potential future problems.

River levels are also monitored by the Environment Agency who issue flood warnings when river levels
are high. Hydrographs are used by the environment agency to help them predict flood risk. On a
hydrograph both rainfall and discharge are plotted. The distance between the heaviest rainfall and
the peak discharge is known as the lag time. The shorter the lag time the more likely a flood.

Information about flood and weather warnings is often broadcast on radio and television or given in
local newspapers. More detailed information is available through various websites.

Local authorities have emergency action plans which are implemented when flooding warnings are
issued. Emergency services are put on alert and in severe situations regions prone to flooding are
evacuated. Transport connections may be closed and local schools may be closed.
Building Design

Special waterproof Concrete floors to prevent

paints and plastic wall flood water seeping through
coverings used to
decorate property

Plug sockets placed Expensive furniture and

halfway up the wall important documents
kept upstairs

Water-tight doors and

flood gates fitted to Built on stilts – Hopefully flood
hold back water waters won’t reach the house.

Planning

Local authorities also try to limit flood damage by imposing planning restrictions on areas prone to
flooding, or areas which could increase the flood risk elsewhere. Unfortunately, due to high demand
for new housing, some authorities have agreed to new building programmes on floodplain land.

Engineering

The impact of flooding can be reduced by engineering – flood defence programmes are described as
being either hard or soft:

 Hard options tend to involve making significant changes to the natural river channel. These are
usually costly to build and maintain but most are long lasting and effective.
 Soft options (sometimes referred to as natural) tend to be far less expensive and rarely involve
changes to the river channel. However, they often require large areas of land and as such the
 overall cost can still be large. Although soft engineering reduces the risk of flooding, they are
normally less effective than hard techniques.

Flood Protection Measure

Type Hard Soft

Strategy Dams River Channel Afforestation Washlands

Modification

Benefits 1. Discharge 1. Straightening 1. Intercepts 1. Allowing

regulated – floods and deepening rainfall; some parts of
prevented; the channel the river to
2. Holds soil in
allows a large flood naturally
2. HEP potential; place reducing
amount of water reduces risk in
erosion;
3. Recreation to flow quickly urban areas;
opportunities. through the 3. Relatively
2. Flooding
river. cheap;
leads to
4. Creates marshlands –
habitats for important
wildlife; ecosystems.

5. Recreation
opportunities.

Drawbacks 1. Expensive; 1. Expensive; 1. Floods still 1. Floods still

occur; occur;
2. Sediment 2. May require
trapped possibly regular 2. Large areas of 2. Productive
leading to maintenance; land needed; farmland may
problems be lost;
3. Destructions 3. Forests need
downstream;
of habitats; to be carefully 3. Local
3. Spoils the view managed to residents may
4. Un-natural
maximise effect. have to move.
4. Flood prevention look;
may lead to fertility
problems.
 5. Moves flood
risk
downstream.

EXAM PRACTICE

1. Outline how urban growth can lead to more frequent flooding (3)

2. Give two effects of flooding on people (2)

3. Describe how soft flood defences can be used to reduce flood risk. (4)

4. Explain why soft forms of flood defence are becoming more popular (3)

5. Outline how houses can be designed to limit flood damage (4)

A* Tip: The command term ‘outline’ requires you to

A* Tip: There is no need to ‘give the main points’. Although this usually involves
provide extending statements
1.3a Case Study: River Ouse (York) (Foundation)
when the command word is
a list of statements, try to avoid bullet-points. On
‘outline’ questions you will be rewarded for
either: Name, Give or State. including extending statement.

Causes of the 2000A* Tip: Take care with spelling and

flood
grammar. Literacy is becoming a more
important element of the exam process.
Careless spelling errors Deforestation
Wettest could cost youin 250mm of rain
Autumn on important points.
drainage basin fell in two
record weeks.

The removal of peat River Ouse has a

has increased surface large drainage
runoff basin.

The Ouse starts York and other

in the steep nearby towns have
slopes of the grown.
Yorkshire Dales
and Moors

York is sited at the

The river Ouse has a Changing farming confluence of the
large number of methods have Ouse and the Foss
tributaries. shortened the lag
time.
Effects of the 2000 flood

 450 houses damaged

 Riverside businesses closed
 Road and Rail links closed.
 Insurance prices increased
 House prices fell
 Historical buildings (e.g. the castle) were damaged.
 Parks and playing fields were submerged
 New flood defences were planned
 How has York responded to the threat of flooding?

Warning Systems

 River levels in the York region are closely monitored by the MET Office and the Environment
Agency.
 When heavy rain is predicted weather warnings are issued to ensure local people have the
time to prepare and evacuate.

Planning

 Clifton Ings : The council has made this area of farmland and playing fields into a washland.
Planning laws will prevent any future construction in this area.

Engineering –

 Bootham: Houses have been fitted with Flood gates

 North Street: The flood has been heighten
 Confluence of Ouse and Foss: Foss Barrier has been built to keep the two rivers apart during
periods of high rainfall preventing the water from ‘backing-up’ and flooding.

Exam Question: For a chosen region, outline the Exam Question: For a chosen region, outline the
measures which have been taken to reduce flood measures which have been taken to reduce flood
risk. risk.

Grade E Response Grade C Response

Chosen Region: York Chosen Region: York

In York a big barrier was built to stop floods. The The Foss Barrier was built at the confluence of the
sides of the river were made higher and some rivers Ouse and Foss to stop flood water building
playing fields were allowed to flood. up. Houses in areas that have been affected by
flooding have had flood gates fitted to keep the
water out and the river banks have been raised in
Level 2 – 3 marks. For a stronger score the important places, such as North Street.
candidate needed to use more geographical terms
and York specific facts.
Level 3 – 6 marks. Answer includes 3 actions and
considerable extension.
 EXAM PRACTICE

1. Using examples, give three impacts of flooding. (4)

2. For a flood you have studied, outline the causes. (4)

3. Using examples, describe how the impact of flooding can be minimised. (4)

5. For a chosen river, outline the measures taken to reduce the flood risk (6)

Getting the C: To achieve a high score

on a levelled questions (one worth 6
Getting the C: Take care with spelling and grammar. marks or more) you will need to need
Literacy is becoming a more important element of the to include subject specific terms in
exam process. Careless spelling errors could cost you your answer.
important points.
Getting the C: When a question asks for examples, or
Getting the C: When your exam is marked, requires you to include case study knowledge, the
correct statements will score points whilst examiner wants you to include some location specific
incorrect comments will be ‘overlooked’. No detail in your answer. Generic statements won’t
points are taking off for giving the wrong achieve full marks.
answer. Even crossed out work is credited if
it’s correct!!!

1.3a Case Study: River Ouse (York) (Higher)

Causes of the 2000 flood

Deforestation in the
Wettest catchment zone has Between the 26th Oct
Autumn on lowered rates of and the 8th Nov
record evapotranspiration 250mm of rain fell

Removal of peat in
upland areas has Ouse catchment
reduced infiltration area covers
Effects of the 2000 flood

 450 properties damaged

 Riverside businesses, including several popular tourist facilities, were temporarily closed.
 Stock damaged and contracts lost.
 Access routes cut off (Road and Rail)
 Insurance premiums rose, whilst some properties were left with no insurance.
  House prices fell
 Historical buildings, including the castle’s foundations, were damaged and required
expensive restoration work.
 Sewage facilities overwhelmed, contaminated water left a sticking sludge behind
 Parks and playing fields were submerged
 New flood defences were planned

How has York responded to the threat of flooding?

Warning Systems – Like the rest of the UK, weather conditions and river levels in the York region are
closely monitored by the MET Office and the Environment Agency. When heavy rain is predicted
weather warnings are issued and when river levels rise flood warnings are given to ensure local people
have the time to prepare and evacuate.

Planning – Local authorities have designated rural areas prone to flooding as over spill areas. These
regions have tough planning laws preventing the construction of new buildings. Some of these
‘washlands’ (e.g. Clifton Ings) have been enhanced, through the building of embankments and sluice
gates, to control the movement of flood water.

Engineering – A number of hard flood defences have been built to protect the city’s historical centre
and important residential areas. A series of flood gates, earthen embankments and concrete walls
have been built to hold back flood waters near North Street and in Bootham.. There has also been an
attempt to manage flow rates through the construction of the Foss Barrier at the confluence of the
Ouse and Foss. The Foss Barrier separates the flow of the two rivers during periods of high discharge
preventing the water from ‘backing-up’ and flooding neighbouring districts. Excess water is pumped
to rural regions downstream of the town.

Exam Question: For a chosen region, explain how Exam Question: For a chosen region, explain how
the consequences (impacts) of flooding have been the consequences (impacts) of flooding have been
reduced. reduced.

Grade A Response
Grade C Response

Chosen Region: York

Chosen Region: York
The Foss Barrier was built at the confluence of the
rivers Ouse and Foss. It reduces the flood risk by
In York the Foss Barrier was built to control the
blocking off the Foss and pumping excess water
flow of the two rivers. Embankments were also
downstream. This stops the Foss from backing-up
constructed in the town centre and some playing
and flooding the surrounding area. Clifton Ings
fields next to the river were allowed to flood.
has also been set aside as a washland. When the
river is likely to flood, excess water is channelled
onto the Ings, reducing the river’s discharge and
Level 2. Identifies three actions but includes little lowering the flood risk elsewhere in York.
extension. Most development is description, not
explanation.
 EXAM PRACTICE

1. Using examples, outline the impact of flooding. (4)

2. For a flood you have studied, outline the causes. (4)

3. Using examples, describe how the impact of flooding can be minimised. (4)

5. For a chosen river, explain the measures taken to reduce flood risk (6)

A* Tip: The command term ‘outline’ requires you to

‘give the main points’. Although this usually involves
A* Tip: Take care with spelling and a list of statements, try to avoid bullet-points. On
grammar. Literacy is becoming a more ‘outline’ questions you will be rewarded for
important element of the exam process. including extending statement.
Careless spelling errors could cost you
important points.

A* Tip: An example is not a detailed case study. Examples may

refer to a country, region, town or even a specific building. When
a question asks for examples, you could use several examples
from one case study region, or give examples from a number of
different locations.

A* Tip: When your exam is marked, correct

statements will score points whilst incorrect A* Tip: When a question asks for examples, or
comments will be ‘overlooked’. No points requires you to include case study knowledge, the
are taking off for giving the wrong answer. examiner wants you to include some location specific
Even crossed out work is credited if it’s detail in your answer. Generic statements won’t
correct!!! achieve full marks.