If your team is in the process of designing a flood mitigation system—whether for a building, a work site, or an entire town—AWMA Water Control Solutions can help. While the idea of diverting or blocking flood waters seems simple enough, it’s in fact, quite complex. There are many different types of floodwater gates or barriers that you can install to fight against potential flooding. Some of these barriers are permanent and passive, meaning that they require no deployment. Others are temporary flood barriers, which need to be deployed or removed as necessary. Usually, a good flood mitigation system will use both types of barriers to achieve the best results.
The Difference Between Removable and Passive Flood Barriers
Removable flood barriers, as the name suggests, can be put up or taken down as necessary. The benefit of these systems is that they don’t permanently take up space or impact the aesthetics of an area. When flooding is imminent, businesses, governments or communities can deploy these systems. When floodwaters are not a threat, the barriers can be taken down and stored.
These types of temporary flood barriers are more ideal for locations that don’t receive much rain or are not situated in coastal areas. Because these regions are at lower risk of flooding, they have less use for permanent barriers. If the barriers are only needed a few times a year, then there might not be much benefit to installing permanent, passive flood barriers. After all, temporary barricades are usually the less expensive option.
There are a few significant drawbacks to removable flood barriers, though, and your team will want to consider them before making a final decision. The biggest issue is that these types of blockades require human deployment. As such, every time flood mitigation is necessary; you will need to mobilise a group of people to install them. This process takes time, which may not always be a resource you have when heavy storms strike. The time and labour required for deployment can also just become cumbersome if you are setting up and tearing down your temporary flood barriers every few weeks.
If your site is located in an area that gets heavy rain and is often subject to flooding, it will likely be more cost-effective and less labour-intensive to install passive flood barriers. In this context, ‘passive’ means that the barricades don’t require human deployment. Passive barriers are either ready to block and divert flood waters no matter what (as with permanent retaining walls or break walls) or will deploy themselves under flood conditions. Passive flood barriers such as self-regulating tidal gates and concealed flood walls work automatically when water levels or hydrostatic pressure levels rise.
Designing the Right Flood Mitigation Strategy for Your Location
Obviously, the location of your site or building is going to impact whether removable flood barriers or passive flood barriers are the best option for flood mitigation. At AWMA Water Control Solutions, we can consult with you to help you choose the right equipment. Factors such as rainfall statistics, elevation & location in relation to bodies of water and the stormwater management system in place, will factor into our recommendations. To speak with one of our flood mitigation strategists, call 61 3 5456 3331 today.
