10.7 Rivers and Human Interaction Case Study: Flooding in Mallow
The town of Mallow in Cork has a long history of flooding from the River Blackwater. Records as far back as 1628 detail damage to structures in the town from flooding. It has been a common occurrence in the town ever since.
Between 2006 and 2009, a flood relief scheme for Mallow was constructed. The aim of the relief scheme was to try to prevent serious damage to local homes and businesses from flooding. 1853
1600
Reports that ‘this day past the Blackwater, by reason of the greatness and height thereof, he [a man travelling through Mallow] was not able before this time to pass’
1600 1578 Reports of
someone who ‘was delayed for a considerable period at Mallow
in the Blackwater’ 1700 1628
Reports that ‘… the river suddenly rose eight feet higher than was even seen by the oldest living man. It carried away the bridge at Mallow.’
Reports that
had caused ‘the bridge [to be] almost totally swept away by a
1800 1875 Reports of disastrous
extensive damage to houses, household goods, shops, cattle and crops
with irreparable damage caused
1916
Reports of disastrous
causing
extensive damage
1900 1969 1980 Extreme
event, with serious
Mallow 2000 1988
2006–2009 Construction of the relief scheme
2004
12 3 Being numerate
1. How many large flood events were recorded from 1916 to 2004?
2. Which two flood events had the shortest time between them?
Managing myself Flooding in Mallow, 2009 146
If you lived in Mallow, how would you feel if the flooding affected your home or school?