York floods November 200035-40mm rain in 24 hours3000 people evacuated, Army called in to helpOuse 4.8m above normal levels80,000 sandbags usedYork race course flooded – no racesAverage insurance payout - £25,000 per property£1.3m in costs for sandbags, fire, Army£10m in lost income – 200,000 fewer visitors

YorkR. Ouse is fed by Swale, Nidd & Ure.

Flooding can occur quickly.

R. Foss meets the Ouse in York.

A

B

When the river is in flood a sluice gate is opened at Point A.

Water then flows into the Ings which is surrounded by a large embankment. It is stored here, like a reservoir, until the river level falls.When the river level falls, water is let back into the river via a sluice gate at point B.

2.3m cubic metres – lowering flood levels by 150mm

Cost £1.25m in 1982

River Ouse

Floodbank constructed in front of houses & sewage system improved in 1980.

Floodbanks raised in 1982 after wind blew waves from Clifton Ings.

Built in 1982 .Concrete flood walls with strengthened steel centres have been constructed to protect against powerful flood water.

Natural looking embankments also constructed.

Valves installed to isolate sewage during flood periods.

Lower Ebor Street

Holgate Beck diverted so discharge flows into the River Ouse downstream of York.

Upstream of York where the Beck meets the Ouse, a two-pump station was built to control water levels.

Holgate Beck

Marygate Flood WallsA wall of waterproof bricks

Lendal Bridge

Museum Gardens

The Museum Gardens has an embankment in it. This increases the volume of the river channel and also acts as a barrier to flood water.

Any rabbits or vermin in the flood wall are killed by pest control.

The Kings Arms PubMany buildings have to adapt to the floods. The most famous building for flooding is the Kings Arms pub.

• Beer is kept upstairs instead of in a cellar – electrics are at roof height.

• The pub has stone floors.

• There is a second entrance up the street.

• The bar can be taken down & moved upstairs in less than two hours.

River Ouse flows south, carrying more water than the Foss

The Foss often carries less water than the Ouse

The Ouse spills into the Foss, causing the Foss to flood

Why is there a Barrier?

What potential problems can you think of with this Barrier?

The Foss Barrier is lowered stopping the Ouse flowing into the Foss.

The Foss is then pumped into the Ouse by 8 pumps.30tonnes per second

Made from natural materials (sandstone) to blend in.

Cost £3.34m