New Inventions
"*Concerns about the Environment"
by Leroy Palmer (13)

The river Torridge at low tide. The problem I want to solve is: 1 Lifestyle or environmental problem. My idea is to control the flooding and the water shortage problems in the Bideford area. 2. What is needed ? A method of controlling the flow of the water when there is a lot around, and storing water for when there is a drought. 3. Design considerations Pollution, Sewage Wildlife, Salmon spawning, Land Habitats Roads, Tarka Trail, Main Roads, Houses, Private and Business, Tourists, Water sports, Fishing, Rowing, Wind Surfing, Water Skiing, Boats, Private, Industrial, Electricity, Generating, 4. Solution 4.1 There should be a flood prevention scheme just above Weare Giffard that will provide a means of retaining water and release it in a controlled manor so that it will not flood residential properties. From figure 1 we can see that the scheme must retain the water no higher than 10 meters as this would not affect local roads and residential properties. 4.2. There should be a dam and a lock at the narrowest part of the estuary entrance making the river non tidal. See illustration. A dam will need to be approximately 1 kilometer long and will require the local council to purify all sewage before release into the river to avoid pollution. With the tide constantly at the mean high water mark the area would be far more attractive to tourists and be more accessible to local residents for all fresh water leisure activities.