Save bogs to halt floods

Thursday, December 03, 2009

HAS the severity of the recent flooding along our rivers anything to do with the enthusiasm with which we are draining and cutting our bogs?

In the US wetlands have been put back along the rivers for flood control. A river that can overflow on to areas of damp meadow, bog and wetland will cause less flooding in built-up areas downstream than one that cannot. A bog can hold rainfall before it ever gets to a river, lessening the pressure in very wet weather.

When wetlands were put back along US rivers, not only was flooding lessened downstream but the water quality improved and wildlife increased.

In Ireland, undamaged bogs and wetlands also soak up carbon dioxide, combating climate change.

Maybe it is the bogs we should be saving.

Natasha Harty
Jamesbrook
Midleton
Co Cork

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, December 03, 2009