Management of flood hazards, has shifted from a 'river
control/flood control' approach to a more integrated 'floodplain
management' approach. Reliance on structural measures, such as
stopbanks and river training works, to prevent flood damage is no
longer sufficient. Now more modern approaches are to develop
'floodplain management' plans or strategies. These may still make
use of stopbanks, etc, but also consider land use controls (that
is, adjusting our activities rather than trying to control the
river) and other options such as flood insurance, civil defence
procedures and education mechanisms.
The strategies promote rational use of floodplains - balancing
costs and risks of land use with benefits of the land use.