269 - My shots of the floods over the last two days, and in September have tended to show the negative effects of flooding, so for a change I've been to find their beauty - but first the science!
Large areas north of York, known as Clifton Ings and Rawcliffe Ings, are used to store flood water and reduce it's maximum height in the city. A large flood bank has been built along the eastern side of these areas, and a slightly lower flood bank along the west and south sides close to the river. There are sluice gate at the northern and southern ends. Measuring devices in rivers north of York allow the upcoming height of the flooding in York to be forecast, and at an appropriate time the peak of the flood is reduced by diverting water into this area. As the flood water begins to go down, the water stored is then released back into the river.
Here I'm stood on the eastern flood bank. The row of trees marks the line of a small beck, and the river is beyond the water and in the dark area in the distance. An area of rough pasture has been converted to York's very own lake district, which with the sun low in the sky is transformed to a place of great beauty.
Thank you Pyrrhula - it looks nice here in the floods, but it's an attractive area to explore when the flood water isn't there - and because it's used to store flood water, it won't be developed or built on!
Thank you Tony - the whole flood control system for the York area is quite fascinating and an impressive piece of engineering - and on the whole it works well too!
You're quite right Tony - we can't win against nature, but it's impressive what can be done if we are prepared to spend the huge sums of money required for construction and maintenance. Before the defences were built. hundreds of properties would have been flooded by the current floods and by those in September, but it's now reduced to dozens, and most people and businesses continue with only minor inconveniences. That's not a bad result, though still very sad for the few still affected.
@if1 That pretty well sums it up Ian. Lots of money. Where do you draw the line ?? We all like to live near a river, or the ocean or even the forest but we need to be mindful of the potential hazards. That's a big issue here with regard to bush fires.
Thank you Bruni - it's a lovely walk on the flood bank here watching the reflections an the water, as well as the area being useful in reducing the height of the floods!
February 4th, 2013
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For sure it`s a wonderful capture
Thank you Micah, glad you like it!
Thank you Lydia, glad you like it!
Thank you Bob - I deliberately slightly underexposed to get just that effect.
Thank you Therese, glad you like it!
Thank you William - not too many birds on here yesterday, but lots today on a flooded area closer to the city centre.
Thank you Helen, glad you like it!
Thank you Pyrrhula - it looks nice here in the floods, but it's an attractive area to explore when the flood water isn't there - and because it's used to store flood water, it won't be developed or built on!
Thank you Tony - the whole flood control system for the York area is quite fascinating and an impressive piece of engineering - and on the whole it works well too!
Thank you Debra, and thank you for the fav!
Thank you Christine, glad you like it!
Thank you Alison, glad you like it!
Thank you Mickey - I'm doing my best to keep out of the water, and it seems to be working so far!
Thank you Brian - it's amazing how water can add such beauty to a view.
Thank you Howard, glad you like it.
Thank you Sarra, glad you like it.
Thank you Marie, and thank you for the fav!
Thank you Tara - it's a lovely walk on this flood bank watching the sun sink towards the horizon, and here enhanced by the flood water.
Thank you Sterling - I did a series of shots as I walked along the flood bank, and I too liked the gap in the trees here.
Thank you Heather, glad you like it. The flood bank is a lovely place for a walk just before sunset.
You're quite right Tony - we can't win against nature, but it's impressive what can be done if we are prepared to spend the huge sums of money required for construction and maintenance. Before the defences were built. hundreds of properties would have been flooded by the current floods and by those in September, but it's now reduced to dozens, and most people and businesses continue with only minor inconveniences. That's not a bad result, though still very sad for the few still affected.
Thank you Kd - it's a nice walk along the flood bank here with the low sun at any time, but flood water here adds an extra dimension.
Thank you Ladyjane - it was a beautiful sunset.
Thank you Judith - I hope you haven't been badly affected by the floods.
Glad you like it!
Thank you Ann, and thank you for the fav!
Thank you RecoveringPerfectionista, this is a lovely place to walk even without the flood water!
Thank you Bruni - it's a lovely walk on the flood bank here watching the reflections an the water, as well as the area being useful in reducing the height of the floods!