Flooding in the southern states can happen when large amounts of rainfall in the state over a relatively short period. They can also occur when the states are struck by heavy rainfall from a single hurricane or another type of tropical storm system. Tennessee, in March 2019 was the subject of a flash flood. Flood mitigation/control is possible using a variety of structures, including concrete drain pipe and culverts.
Flood Mitigation
Drainage control structures are put into place to help mitigate and control flooding in both urban and rural areas. In Tennessee, such cities as Nashville have to take appropriate action when the river rises to prevent property and infrastructure damage and disruption to services.
These control systems consist of interconnected drainage structures. They may be composed of steel and plastic, but a major material is concrete. Such products include:
- Culverts – Generally of concrete, they provide easy access to water
- Gates – Metal gates can control water flow to lessen flooding
- Levees – They act to contain and restrain water
- Pipes – Concrete pipes direct the flow of water
- Pumps –They can control water depth and flow
- Street grates – Metal street grates provide an escape for surface water
- Weirs – Another means of trapping water to control it
Both large and small constructions are called into action daily, but face greater stress during flooding. They must not be strategically designed and engineered to handle normal and flood conditions. A concrete drain pipe is useless unless it is the right size and positioned appropriately.
Concrete Drain Pipe and Culverts
Drainage is essential to ensure the excess water occurring during storms does not cause flooding. While not all measures are successful in accomplishing this, the adroit use of concrete drain pipe, culverts, and other structures can help to control flooding. In Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia, such measures can prove to be successful in at least mitigating potentially disastrous results from excess water falling.