Excalibur Flood Management in Rhode Island

Floods are devastating and cause billions of dollars in damage every year and cause many deaths. Scientists use their knowledge of flooding, erosion, and deposition to manage and mitigate floods. What areas of Rhode Island are prone to flood or erosion? Which areas of our community are most at risk? What are some structural features that scientists and engineers are using to manage erosion, deposition, and flooding? What is being done to mitigate floods in our state, our nation and around the world? What are some possible solutions for flooding in Rhode Island?

Hurricane Dorian https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/09/world/bahamas-dorian-aftermath-reporters-notebook/ind ex.html Weather Underground https://www.wunderground.com/ ​

How are people affected by Hurricanes and Flooding? ● ● ● ● ●

What is a specific concern with flooding in RI? ● Houston Hurricane Harvey ● RI Superfund Sites ● https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/06/climate/flood-toxic-chemicals.html

You will engage in the National Geographics Engineering Process to answer these questions. ​ ​ The process consists of the following steps. 1. Define the problem 2. Research 3. Propose a solution 4. Design 5. Build a Prototype 6. Test 7. Evaluate

Problem What is the flood risk in Rhode Island? How is our state community at risk? Which ​ areas are of special concern? Use the following resources to find out about floods risk in Rhode Island.

Problem/History of Floods and Hurricanes in Rhode Island ● Slide Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYAg65RHtJI ​ ● Hurricane of 1938 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLaJvqLKSMg ​ ● Hurricane History in Rhode IslandRhode Island Map ● Hurricane Sandy http://www.golocalprov.com/news/natural-disasters ​ ● Rhode Island Flooding Types http://www.riema.ri.gov/prepare/threats/flooding/index2.php ● Rhode Island Mapping Tool http://www.riema.ri.gov/resources/citizens/mitigation/mapping.php ● RI Flood Plain Mapping http://www.riema.ri.gov/resources/citizens/mitigation/mapping.phpRhode Island Shoreline Change http://www.crmc.ri.gov/maps/maps_shorechange.html ​ ● Google Images Superstorm Sandy/Rhode Island/Flooding ● https://reportcard.statesatrisk.org/report-card/rhode-island/coastal_flooding_grade ● RI State at Risk https://statesatrisk.org/rhode-island/inland-flooding ​

How will climate change affect water levels in Rhode Island

Research What structure has been put in place to lessen flood risk in Providence? ● Rhode Island Hurricane Barrier Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01yU84-OBYE ● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ3pmfhPT7E ● Army Core of Engineers https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Flood-Ris k-Management/Rhode-Island/Fox-Point/ ● http://gatehousenews.com/risingthreat/home/

Research General Information on Flood Management Use the following resources to find out about ​ floods and structural features that are used in flood management. ● National Geographic Article Rising Seas https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2013/09/rising-seas-coastal-impact-clima te-change-b/ ● Levee https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/levee/ ​ ● Dyke https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/dike/ ​ ● Flood https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/flood/ ​ ● National Geographic Flood Management https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/ztb78mn/revision/5 ● How floods work https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/flood3.htm ​ ● Flood Risk https://www.nap.edu/read/18309/chapter/8#100 ​ ● Reusable Aqua Dams https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/storm-victims-are-spending-10000-on-reusable-aquad ams.html

Rhode Island Projects ● Fox Point Hurricane Barrier http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Flood-Risk-Management/Rhode-Isl and/Fox-Point/ ● Flood Risk Management Projects http://climatechange.ri.gov/resiliency/ ​ ● The Rhode Island Green Infrastructure Project (RI GRIP) Specific national and International Projects Netherlands/Holland ● https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/world/europe/netherlands-sets-model-of-flood-prev ention.html ● https://e360.yale.edu/features/to_control_floods_the_dutch_turn_to_nature_for_inspirati on ● Video Maeslantkering gate, on the Nieuwe Waterweg between Rotterdam to the North SeaVideo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnkEHk_BbrQ ​ ​

Venice, Italy MOSE Project Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYAysXU0r7o ​

England /Thames Barrier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvg2asACsG0

Various engineering Projects Rise of Global Sea Level Earth Under Flood - BBC ​ ​ Documentary 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vrqibKuVgg ​

Fox Point Hurricane Protection Barrier The Fox Point Hurricane Protection Barrier in Providence is located immediately south of the Narragansett Electric Company plant, about 0.2 miles north of Fox Point and one mile south of downtown Providence. The project provides virtually complete protection against tidal flooding from hurricanes and other coastal storms to about 280 acres of downtown Providence. The protected area includes the commercial and industrial center, transportation facilities, public utilities, and many homes. The city suffered extensive damage from the hurricane of 1938 and in 1954 when, in each instance, water depths of up to eight feet were experienced in the city’s commercial area. Damage from the 1938 hurricane amounted to $16.3 million -- and damage from Hurricane Carol amounted to $25.1 million. Construction began in July 1961 and was completed in January 1966, at a cost of $15 million. The Corps of Engineers Canal Project Office operates and maintains the barrier’s elements located within the Providence River banks, while the city of Providence operates and maintains the rest of the structure. The barrier itself is a 700-foot-long concrete structure, 25 feet high, that extends westerly across the Providence River from Tockwotton Street, near Fox Point, to Globe Street, near the power plant. The structure contains three tainter gate openings that prevent the entry of floodwaters from the bay when closed and permit passage of small vessels when open. Each gate is 40 feet high and 40 feet wide. Two 10 to 15-foot-high earthfill dikes with stone slope protection, flank each side of the barrier. The eastern dike is 780 feet long and the western dike is 1,400 feet long. A pumping station and cooling water canal are integral parts of the project. During a tidal/flood situation, the pumping station’s five large pumps can discharge the floodwaters of the Providence River through the barrier into the bay. Two gated openings in the pumping station, each 10 feet high and 15 feet wide, admit water into the cooling water canal used by the Narragansett Electric Company, located immediately behind the barrier. There are three vehicular gates located at Allens Avenue, South Main Street, and the Narragansett Electric Company and five sewer gates that prevent high tides from backing up through the sewer lines.

What is the flood risk in Rhode Island? Which areas are of special concern?

What can be done to minimize risk?

How can we use the engineering process to create a possible solution?

Damage in Bahamas Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfukWqYdaNE ​

How are people affected by hurricanes and flooding? ● ● ● ● ● ●

Where in Rhode Island?

Write (use pencil) the names the following locations on the Rhode Island Map: ● EWG Junior High ● Your House ● Providence ● Newport ● Jamestown ● Narragansett ● Cranston ● Ms. Buckler’s Mother’s House ● Block Island ● Westerly ● Warwick ● Quonset Point

Rivers and bodies of water ● Wood River ● Pawcatuck River ● Pawtuxet River ● Woonasqatucket River ● Blackstone River ● Narragansett Bay ● Providence River