Floods are ravaging farms worldwide, so whether they will remain able to provide consistent yields for future seasons is unknown. Agricultural infrastructure could be a safety net for crops regardless of location. What are the most effective and accessible installations to make as soon as possible in light of the advancing climate crisis?

Elevated Structures and Land Grading

All buildings and structures on the property could have some type of elevation, whether it be stilts or concrete blocks. A raised barn on piers is ideal for salvaging critical ranching materials that are easily lost to moisture and rushing water. If raising buildings is not possible, farmers and ranchers can try grading their fields.

Contour farming techniques with swales and berms automatically redirect water away. This keeps people away from dangerous circumstances while preserving the most vulnerable components of the land. Laser levels are a straightforward way to create slopes and ensure they lead floodwaters to the intended place. Advanced research shows automated leveling is a strong resource, especially for places previously affected by floods.

Floodplain Management and Buffer Zones

Farmers should know their farmland by heart, but spending extra time learning the hydrology and climate patterns makes implementing floodplain management more effective. It also makes infrastructure more valuable because it is more resilient and reliable. Geographic information systems are critical for setting these fixtures up in flood-prone regions.

Some examples of floodplain management include wetland restoration and riparian buffers. The former encourages wetland restoration and creation, absorbing vast amounts of water to prevent the intensity of runoff. When underground reservoirs are constantly depleted from overconsumption, this is a safety precaution and an environmental statement.

Buffer strips are natural ways to increase native species and ecosystem nourishment while defending against floods. These vegetative walls can line waterways like creeks and rivers to stop them from encroaching on the property. They also lower the severity of erosion, especially for softer soil compositions.

These revegetation methods are one of several nature-based solutions offering all possible benefits of water resource management, including:

• Reduce surface runoff and erosion.
• Flood prevention and protection.
• Reduction and treatment of pollutants.
• Improved habitat.

Improved Drainage Systems

Drainage can manifest in several ways on farms and ranches. Ditches and canals channel floods to safer places, but other systems like tile drainage are vital for maintaining integrity for crop soils.

Dams are another solution for capturing runaway water for safe drainage after a flood. Well-placed dams are why a Missouri nuclear power station survived 5-foot-deep water in 2011 when the Federal Emergency Management Agency predicted severe weather. Farmers can incorporate sensors and automation to open and close vessels and notify operators of water stress as floods unfold in real time.

Flood-Resistant Crop Varieties and Livestock Management

Nature-based solutions can surround farm and ranch perimeters, but what about the species in the borders? Flood-resistant crop varieties and beds are smart choices if workers anticipate regular heavy rains. Researchers are now trying to modify plants like tomatoes and rice to have flood-prone qualities by removing the genes making them vulnerable, but this is still a work in progress.

Livestock management can also have inherent flood-resistant qualities. Ranchers can equip shelters with monitors to keep track of water levels but have transportation adaptability to move easily to higher ground. Farmers should practice drills to ensure their proficiency with these habitats is fine-tuned before needing it in an emergency.

Beating the Flood

Infrastructure and technology are the farm-saving combination against floods. Even regions known for drought may want to consider how these installations could benefit them.

Every corner of the Earth is experiencing surprise weather events, even if they are antithetical to historical trends. Erosion, disease, pollution and crop destruction are only several side effects of a single flood, which no agriculturalist should endure when resources are available.