As part of a construction project, a local town redirected the water flow of a creek. This change has caused the creek to be more prone to flooding. Many local farmers report that during heavy storms, their farmlands flood with creek water. Before the creek was redirected, flooding did not occur. Now it happens most frequently during the late winter months, before crops begin to grow. What effect could this increased flooding have on the growth of the farmers’ crops? Name two actions the farmers could take to limit the damage or correct the problem.
Edemntum sample explanation:
One effect of the flooding is that it could erode the topsoil before crops have a chance to sprout. If the floodwater contains industrial or human waste, it could also pollute and damage the soil. Here are two actions the farmers could take:
- The farmers could plant some crops that sprout in late winter. That way, when the flood arrives, some of the soil would be held in place by roots.
- A barrier could be erected between the farms and the creek to keep floodwater out.