As development continues pushing commercial and residential construction into flood plain areas, it’s no wonder that property damage increases year after year from flooding. It’s possible to control flood risks and mitigate property damage costs by restoring lake health, even if the lakes in question are far from the area that may flood. This is because of the complex and interconnected relationship of all the land that lies within a particular watershed. Focusing on the potential flood control, offered by healthy lakes, makes it easier to get buy-in for a large and costly lake restoration project.
Absorbing More Runoff from a Watershed
First, lake restoration almost always includes removing sediment to increase the volume of the lake. This means the lake can absorb more runoff and storm water from the surrounding area before overflowing its banks and becoming a flood risk itself. Excavation and dredging are already major undertakings, so you might as well use them as an excuse to install any needed liners at the same time.
Reducing Saturated Soil with Lake Lining
Floods often occur not because of inadequate artificial drains, but rather, because soil is unnaturally saturated in a particular area. Soil that should be able to absorb more rain becomes a standing puddle instead that quickly runs off, overwhelming the surrounding area. If a lake is constantly seeping out water due to a leaky bottom surface, it could contribute to flooding issues nearby by reducing the water absorption capacity of the ground. Lining a lake, so it holds water rather than constantly losing it to seepage, can have a surprising long-term absorption effect on the entire watershed.
Stabilization of Connected Rivers and Creeks
Lake restoration often connects with river and canal restoration projects that aim to line these channels so they’re no longer eroding. Every river that is lined for erosion control, also becomes less of a flood risk, due to both reduced seepage and bank stabilization. Don’t underestimate the value of interconnected waterway improvements when dealing with large scale problems like flooding.
Let BTL Liners help you complete any lake restoration project with our durable liners. We can custom fabricate large scale solutions to minimize seam sealing work on site, resulting in fewer leaks in the long run.
Conclusion
Lake restoration can cost millions of dollars, so geomembrane liner material is no place to start cutting corners. A truly impermeable and reliable liner material can be hard to find on the scale necessary for lake lining. Choose BTL Liners as your partner for the challenging but rewarding process of lining lakes for restoration purposes.
