Boscastle

(2004): Case

Study of flooding

in an MEDC

Where is Boscastle

?

A small town on the north coast of Cornwall.

30 kms north west of Plymouth.

The Land (Topography)

• Very small drainage basin (only 23km2).

• The Valency valley is steep sided and narrow.

• Confluence of two rivers (Valency and Jordan, a third stream, The Paradise, also flows through the village).

• Impermeable slatey rocks with clay soils.

The Weather

The Weather

• Stormy weather earlier in the week.• A LOW PRESSURE (or DEPRESSION)

system dominated the East Atlantic that day.

• The prevailing SW winds blew the moist air inland.

• Small storms with intense rain.

The People

• No flood control system.• Old sewer and drainage systems.• Structures, particularly the bridge in

the middle of the village obstructed floodwater.

There was severe flooding in Boscastle during August 2004. The most severely affected area was within grid square 0991. Summarise the map evidence which might explain the rapid and severe impact of

flooding within this area. [8 marks]

There was severe flooding in Boscastle during August 2004. The most severely affected area was within grid square 0991. Summarise the map evidence which might explain the rapid and severe impact of

flooding within this area. [8 marks]

Label Figures 3a and 3b to show the impact of the flood on the river channel and the settlement of Boscastle. [8

marks]

Responses

• The Environment Agency have improved the culvert under the Wellington Hotel in the village.

• Bridge changes.

Environment Agency (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1840431)

Figures 5a and 5b describe the causes of flooding in Boscastle and

Bangladesh in 2004.

Assess the relative importance of human activities in the causes of flooding in these two locations.

[8 marks]

“Weigh up the

importance of

something”

Figures 6a and 6b describe the responses to flooding in Boscastle and Bangladesh from a number of different

sources.

Comment on the opinion that the responses to flooding are similar in

both Boscastle and Bangladesh; only the scale and effectiveness are

different. [9 marks]

Are the responses the same?

Is the scale (size) of the response

similar?

How effective were the

responses?