Environmental Impacts of Flooding

Flood
Flooding has both positive and negative consequences. On the negative side, flood water usually contains debris and pollutants. Debris can include trees and stones, or even pieces of houses. Pollutants in flood water, such as bacteria and pesticides, can be carried long distances. Sedimentation and turbidity can result in the growth of algae and phytoplankton blooms that jeopardize water quality.  On the positive side, important nutrients and mineral deposits can also be dispersed by flood water, resulting in improved plant growth and overall ecosystem health. Over time, the nutrients, organic material, and sediment carried by flood waters and deposited on the landscape can provide fertility benefits. Furthermore, flooding can help to recharge groundwater while the soil and sediment carried by flood waters can prevent erosion and maintain river deltas [1].

Replenishment of Surface and Groundwater

One of the positive direct benefits of flooding is the replenishment of surface water and groundwater supplies. The replenishment of supplies can benefit soil, resulting in healthy crops and pastures.

Local Landscape and Habitat

Major deltas, such as the Peace-Athabasca Delta in northern Alberta [2] the Delta Marsh in Manitoba [3], the Okavango Delta in Botswana [4], and the Nile delta in Egypt [5] provide very important habitats for a range of wildlife. The ongoing flooding of such deltas is essential for their health and that of their inhabitants. Flooding can also change local landscapes and habitats. For example, John Pomeroy, a professor and water researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, explained that the 2013 Alberta floods changed the Rocky Mountains and foothills region landscape due to overflowing water, thus altering everything from how future floods will play out to how animals will build habitats in these regions [6]. In urban areas, flooding can be extremely damaging and costly, as it can negatively impact infrastructure, homes, and businesses. In the natural environment, however, flooding has a more positive impact on the natural environment as flood water provides nourishment to the landscape [7].

Sources

  1. World Meteorological Organization, 2006, Associated Programme on Flood Management Technical Document No. 3, Flood Management Policy Series –  Environmental Aspects of Integrated Flood Management.  https://www.floodmanagement.info/publications/policy/ifm_env_aspects/Environmental_Aspects_of_IFM_En.pdf.  Accessed 2023-05-26.
  2. Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program, n.d, The Peace-Athabasca Delta. http://www.ramp-alberta.org/river/geography/peace+athabasca+delta/peace-athabasca+delta.aspx.   Accessed 2023-04-25.
  3. Government of Manitoba, n.d., Delta Marsh Wildlife Management Area.  https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/pai/mb_network/pdf/delta_marsh_backgrounder.pdf.  Accessed 2023-05-26.
  4. Africa Geographic, 2020, Understanding the Okavango Delta.  https://africageographic.com/stories/understanding-the-okavango-delta/.  Accessed 2023-04-25.
  5. One Earth, n.d., Nile Delta Flooded Savanna.  https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/nile-delta-flooded-savanna/.  Accessed 2023-05-26.
  6. Livingstone, A., 2013, Alberta Floods: Assessing the human, environmental and economic impacts. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/06/24/alberta_floods_assessing_the_human_environmental_and_economic_impacts.html.  Accessed 2023-05-26.
  7. Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist,  2018, What are the consequences of floods?  https://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/publications/understanding-floods/flood-consequences.  Accessed 2023-04-25.

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Ross Douglas

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Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

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Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

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Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.