The misconception of flood \u201ccontrol\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The idea of controlling flooding is an illusion. A flood is a true force of nature. Yet controlling floods has historically been the mantra of flood engineers and still is in many places worldwide. Engineers have believed they can keep water exactly where they want it \u2013 but this flawed approach has failed over and over again, and has increased the vulnerability of infrastructure and communities.<\/p>\n Many of the decisions that society has made \u2013 leveeing major waterways, digging navigation channels and canals, filling in wetlands and floodplains, building homes in vulnerable areas \u2013 have occurred without consideration of impacts on flood risks, and have thus inadvertently increased those risks.<\/p>\n There is a growing realization that we cannot eliminate flood risks by controlling the flow of water. Instead, we should work with the natural process of floods, providing open spaces to capture and hold floodwaters away from communities.<\/p>\n Lessons learned from the Dutch<\/strong><\/p>\n In 1953, the Netherlands experienced a devastating flood<\/a> that killed 1,835 people.<\/p>\n In 2005, similar disasters struck Louisiana in the form of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Following the storms, there was intense interest in the Netherlands\u2019 flood protection knowledge and capabilities.<\/p>\n Delta Works<\/a>, the Netherlands\u2019 plan initiated and implemented after the flood of 1953, is a feat of engineering and referred to as one of the seven wonders of the modern world<\/a> by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It demonstrates the level of achievement that is capable when safety is the top priority.<\/p>\n However, the Dutch coastal protection system is a combination of mostly hard infrastructure \u2013 dunes, dikes, dams and storm surge barriers \u2013 that has been constructed over centuries and, in the process, the Dutch developed nearly all of their natural wetlands.<\/p>\n Even though the Netherlands have committed to invest a billion dollars annually for the next 20 years [PDF]<\/a> into their protection system, it\u2019s not possible to endlessly heighten sea dikes. Flood protection is the Netherlands\u2019 #1 priority<\/a> \u2013 their motto is \u201cSafety Above All Else\u201d \u2013 but they are unfortunately highly likely to flood again.<\/p>\n The Louisiana model <\/strong><\/p>\n After Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana also decided to rebuild New Orleans\u2019 levees a little bit higher and a little bit stronger. Many in Louisiana, including some state leaders, touted the Dutch\u2019s high level of protection as a goal and aspiration.<\/p>\n But in the years since Katrina, Louisiana has realized the importance of incorporating nature-based flooding solutions. Louisiana\u2019s wetlands, barrier islands, oyster reefs and natural ridges are all a part of a Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n [Tweet “We can change how we face coastal flooding challenges by blending restoration, protection and community resiliency.”]<\/p>\n Along with levees, these natural features help reduce flooding risks and protect against catastrophic flooding. Other features of the strategy include home elevation and planned evacuation routes.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/52\/files\/2018\/05\/FRRP.-Source-CPRA.png\")
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