Final answer:
The flow of surface run-off can be controlled by building retaining walls called levees, which are key components of flood control systems. In addition to levees, reservoirs collect and store water for various uses, and conservation efforts are important for sustainable water management. Aqueducts and desalination are other methods used to meet freshwater demands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The flow of surface run-off can be controlled by building retaining walls called levees. The purpose of a levee is to prevent the overflow of rivers, lakes, or oceans from flooding adjacent land. Levees are often part of a larger flood control system, which may include dams and reservoirs. By building a levee, water is contained within the riverbanks, and the risk of flooding to surrounding areas is reduced.
Another method of controlling water flow is through the use of sandbags, which can be placed around potential breaches or leaks in levees or embankments as a temporary measure. According to Environmental Biology 207, sandbags can balance a massive body of water by creating a barrier that stops further flow. Reservoirs also play an essential role by collecting water and storing it for use during drier periods, providing benefits such as water supply, hydroelectric power, flood control, and recreation.
Conservation and Sustainable Management of Water
Conservation is crucial for sustainable water management, involving measures like high-efficiency appliances and behavioral changes to reduce water consumption. In areas where water is scarce, desalination can provide fresh water by removing salt from seawater, although this process is expensive and energy-intensive. Aqueducts transfer water from regions where it is abundant to those where it is needed, but they can lead to controversial political issues and environmental impacts on the source regions.