Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure
Natural flood management strategies are increasingly recognized as sustainable alternatives to conventional engineered flood control measures. Among these, leaky dams, also known as woody debris dams or log dams, have emerged as effective nature-based solutions for mitigating flood risks while prese...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Hydrology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/4/95 |
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| author | Umanda Hansamali Randika K. Makumbura Upaka Rathnayake Hazi Md. Azamathulla Nitin Muttil |
| author_facet | Umanda Hansamali Randika K. Makumbura Upaka Rathnayake Hazi Md. Azamathulla Nitin Muttil |
| author_sort | Umanda Hansamali |
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| description | Natural flood management strategies are increasingly recognized as sustainable alternatives to conventional engineered flood control measures. Among these, leaky dams, also known as woody debris dams or log dams, have emerged as effective nature-based solutions for mitigating flood risks while preserving essential ecosystem services. This review traces the historical evolution of leaky dams from ancient water management practices to contemporary applications, highlighting their development and adaptation over time. It presents a comparative examination of leaky dams and conventional flood control structures, outlining their respective strengths and limitations across ecological, hydrological, and economic dimensions. The review also introduces a conceptual classification of leaky dams into naturally occurring, engineered, hybrid, and movable systems, showing how each form aligns with varying catchment characteristics and management objectives. By synthesizing foundational knowledge and strategic insights, this paper establishes a theoretical and contextual framework for understanding leaky dams as distinct yet complementary tools in integrated flood management, laying the groundwork for further technical evaluations. The findings offer valuable insights for end users by highlighting the potential of leaky dams as integral components of sustainable flood management systems, elucidating their roles in mitigating flood risks, enhancing water retention, and supporting ecosystem resilience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ae78e4be76b4b13b73978eb2c3bb39f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2306-5338 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Hydrology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ae78e4be76b4b13b73978eb2c3bb39f2025-08-20T02:28:36ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382025-04-011249510.3390/hydrology12040095Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control InfrastructureUmanda Hansamali0Randika K. Makumbura1Upaka Rathnayake2Hazi Md. Azamathulla3Nitin Muttil4Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri LankaDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri LankaDepartment of Civil Engineering and Construction, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, IrelandDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Faculty of Engineering, The University of West Indies, St. Augustine 32080, Trinidad and TobagoInstitute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, AustraliaNatural flood management strategies are increasingly recognized as sustainable alternatives to conventional engineered flood control measures. Among these, leaky dams, also known as woody debris dams or log dams, have emerged as effective nature-based solutions for mitigating flood risks while preserving essential ecosystem services. This review traces the historical evolution of leaky dams from ancient water management practices to contemporary applications, highlighting their development and adaptation over time. It presents a comparative examination of leaky dams and conventional flood control structures, outlining their respective strengths and limitations across ecological, hydrological, and economic dimensions. The review also introduces a conceptual classification of leaky dams into naturally occurring, engineered, hybrid, and movable systems, showing how each form aligns with varying catchment characteristics and management objectives. By synthesizing foundational knowledge and strategic insights, this paper establishes a theoretical and contextual framework for understanding leaky dams as distinct yet complementary tools in integrated flood management, laying the groundwork for further technical evaluations. The findings offer valuable insights for end users by highlighting the potential of leaky dams as integral components of sustainable flood management systems, elucidating their roles in mitigating flood risks, enhancing water retention, and supporting ecosystem resilience.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/4/95flood managementleaky damsnature-based solutionssustainability |
| spellingShingle | Umanda Hansamali Randika K. Makumbura Upaka Rathnayake Hazi Md. Azamathulla Nitin Muttil Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure Hydrology flood management leaky dams nature-based solutions sustainability |
| title | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure |
| title_full | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure |
| title_fullStr | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure |
| title_short | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part I: Introduction and Comparative Efficacy with Conventional Flood Control Infrastructure |
| title_sort | leaky dams as nature based solutions in flood management part i introduction and comparative efficacy with conventional flood control infrastructure |
| topic | flood management leaky dams nature-based solutions sustainability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/4/95 |
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