How levees fail, how we fix them

[@pacific_streeter8794]

I wish we had more videos like this

[@blanchjoe1481]

Thank you for sharing this informative video on the California Levee System. A wonderful exploration of intelligent engineering, that is unfortunately doomed to failure. The basic and fundamentally problem is encapsulated in the term "....flood plain.....". All across the US but most specifically along the Mississippi and the California Sacramento River systems, human beings have been farming ( and more so in the last 50+ years ), developing onto flood plains. This begins an inherent cycle of ( TAX ) Funding and Construction of Levees, which then creates an increase in both Farming and Development, and then the eventual Flooding and Destruction of the Levee ( and the surrounding property ). With then a Re-Funding, more Construction, and then more Farming and Development. Even if assuming the existence of a non-altering hydrologic system, this is a TAX expensive and unsustainable exercise, for even if the water system remains the same, the Farming and Development does not, ergo an ever increasing cost structure is inherently built in. With the advent of Global Climate Change the hydrology side of this equation will be increasingly altered. This is NOT an environmental problem, this is a Social-Political Zoning Tax problem. The primary solution is for the State to acquire these Flood Plains via increasing the Insurance Costs, and / or the Property Taxes within areas supported by the Levee System, thereby reducing the Farming, the Development, and correspondingly the number of Levee's in the Flood Plain.

[@Inkulabi]

This would be a great challenge to fix and plan for the future

[@twoshotyt4045]

cool vid, i got this link sent to me for a school project, it really helped.

[@Regurgitated_bat]

"If it keeps on raining levees gonna break".

[@engineergaming4295]

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee went bye And them good old boys we’re drinking whiskey and rye Saying “I am gonna drown right now”

[@outdoorsbeyondnature1980]

The San Joaquin Valley is an oasis wetlands an grasslands before farmer's settled here in 1912.... The central valley of California is mostly grasslands very few trees grow here. We change the climate by putting in canals and ditches it's not even certain parts of the land to grow fruit trees. If you studied the leaf pattern of a peach and nectarine and not plum it does not grow in this area. The most common tree is an oak tree an sequoia tree pine tree near foothills. The Cotton Tree grows towards the coast line towards of the San Joaquin Valley. We destroyed the grasslands are wetlands of this Great Valley!

[@thisisger]

im here to learn about levee due to the rain we got in cali :D

[@waltermarlin1730]

Could a levee be made using terraced water containers. The bottom layer filed with sand or dirt. After the water reaches the second terrace, the terrace having drain holes in it the container fills up with water. Each terrace layer is the filled as the water tops the terrace. The water in the containers creates the weight needed to hold the hold the water back. If this works I would like a nice paycheck. Super poor me.

[@SacramentoDistrict]

Walter Marlin Thanks for your question. Yes, a levee (which is essentially a barrier holding back water) could be made using terraced containers. The Corps and other state and local agencies use something similar during flood fights to what you describe. However, all layers of the containers are filled with soil, sand or rock. We’ve found that the containers are only suitable as short-term solutions. Here’s a video about some of the flood fighting technology barriers/containers we use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZPLlmyHZayLf8k or search "Flood Fight Technology"

[@waltermarlin1730]

SacramentoDistrict I watched the video you posted. There are some interesting ideas shown in the video. So my idea is more original than not? I wish I had the funds to patent my idea or even create a photo-type.

[@outdoorsbeyondnature1980]

There is only certain parts of the valley that is sustainable for fruit trees and it is soil that has acidic properties, yes it is true citrus trees do grow in alkaline soil, but even then they need plenty of water.

[@cheese-qw9vd]

First, don't make levees out of dirt. Second, refer to above.

[@voodoochild1806]

😂😂😂😂😂 Don't build levees outta dirt 😂😂

[@asalvo005]

how about soil cement 2 cement 100pounds bags per cubic yard

[@noelturner9728]

I'm no engineer but I was wondering about the use of recyclable materials? At 2:29 , the video discusses the "cut off wall". Clay and concrete can really wear out over time but what about a super hard plastic? I don't know the scientific name for it but I do know that some of the chairs we have around the school are that Harvest Gold and puke green color. They have been around since the 70's. I'm just curious if plastic recyclables could be used to create it and give it a longer life. Thoughts?

[@SCP-5000]

I'm an engineer. Clay wears out, but it's cheap and its engineering properties are well understood. Without extensive studies, the behaviour of plastics is not predictable.

[@asalvo005]

@@SCP-5000 why does clay wears out? How about soil with cement 2 sacks per cubic yard

[@voodoochild1806]

Under seepage is what caused the levees to fail & flooded New Orleans

[@pacific_streeter8794]

Very educational

[@bertoniandre]

Dont move behind a levee

[@newamerica3940]

I would like a career in this topic

[@pierrenavaille4748]

You can start by joining the Corps of Engineers, it's a civilian agency, so you don't have to be in the Army. You could get a civil engineering degree, there are 4-year and 2-year programs. Many counties and states have levee-maintaining agencies similar to the Corps. You could join an engineering consultant that does work for many public agencies.

[@outdoorsbeyondnature1980]

The San Joaquin farmers killed this great valley.

[@thebeatsiscomeing7885]

hey people

[@thebeatsiscomeing7885]

I was in this I don't like it :(

[@mattmayo3539]

Specifically built by Chinese labor. Borderline indentured servitude.