Agricultural engineers, civil engineers, environmental engineers, materials engineers, and mechanical engineers all play a vital role in flood prevention.

Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural engineers attempt to predict how water moves. These engineers utilize their predictions to determine the best location for retention ponds, wetland buffers, and greenways. Structures like retention ponds, wetland buffers, and greenways are permanent and created to hold water flow and control water. Agricultural engineers play a role in designing dams and structures that function similarly to dams.

Civil Engineers

Civil engineers provide city agencies and authorities with engineering analyses that help develop flood management plans. Civil engineers suggest infrastructural models for systems like drainage networks and flood gates.

These engineers conduct structures that contain and divert flood water. They develop structural designs that are utilized throughout cities and towns to prevent flooding.

Civil engineers also design transportation ways such as roads and train rails that can function in high water. They also design elevated bridges and buildings made to withstand flooding.

Ecological Engineers

Ecological engineers utilize the natural environment to prevent flooding. They combine ecology, or the relationship between humans and their natural environments, and engineering methods. When it comes to flooding, these engineers aim to prevent damage. They also implement models to design, construct, restore, and manage the environment.

For example, ecological engineers identify communities susceptible to riverine flooding. They may contribute to a city flood plan by combining green infrastructure practices with conserving land, possibly by identifying water-retention soils near the city.

Materials Engineers

Materials engineers study and develop materials at the atomic level and model the characteristics of the substances they research. To address flooding, materials engineers seek to lessen the severity of flooding and stop flooding. They design paving materials that are water-permeable and reduce water runoff, especially in cities.

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers work with electrical engineers to design generators and water pumps adaptable to high water. In areas that are at high risk for flooding, they may even put air conditioning units or heating units in elevated areas rather than at-risk places like basements.

In cities, mechanical engineers may develop technology designed to keep subways dry. In a subway system, mechanical engineers may use pumps that convert kinetic energy to hydrodynamic energy. This way, the pumps move flood fluids away from the subway.

Engineers and Flooding

Engineers provide other services that go into plans designed to stop flooding and flood damage. Chances are, engineers have played a vital role in protecting you and your city from flood damage. As a field, engineering considers flood engineering an area of expertise that requires certain skill sets and proper education. Some states even require flood control engineers to earn certifications and licensing before they can address floods.