What Is An Atmospheric River?

 

An atmospheric river is a band of moisture that originates over the tropical water of the Pacific Ocean. They can carry more than 20x times the amount of water the Mississippi River does, but as vapor.


Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow channels of moisture that form in the atmosphere and can carry enormous amounts of water vapor over long distances. These rivers, which are sometimes called "rivers in the sky," can stretch for thousands of miles and can transport more than ten times the flow of the Amazon River.

Atmospheric rivers can form when a large low-pressure system moves over a warm body of water, such as the Pacific Ocean, and picks up moisture. As the low-pressure system moves over land, the moisture can be released as precipitation, which can result in heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides.

These events can be particularly dangerous when they occur in areas with steep terrain or in densely populated urban areas. The heavy rainfall can cause flash floods, which can lead to widespread property damage, loss of life, and economic disruption.

 
 

Atmospheric river flooding is a major threat in many parts of the world. In the United States, for example, atmospheric river events are responsible for roughly half of the annual precipitation in some western states. In California, atmospheric rivers have been responsible for some of the state's most devastating floods and landslides.

One of the reasons why atmospheric river flooding can be so destructive is that it can cause significant amounts of property damage to critical infrastructure in the surrounding area. Roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure can be washed away or severely damaged, which can make it difficult or impossible to move people and goods in and out of affected areas.

In addition, buildings, homes, and other structures can be damaged or destroyed by floodwaters. The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property can be enormous, and the economic disruption caused by the flooding can have long-lasting effects on affected communities.

Atmospheric River Flooding Solutions

Fortunately, there are solutions available to help combat atmospheric river flooding. One company that specializes in flood protection solutions is Garrison™️ Flood Control, which offers a range of products designed to help protect critical infrastructure and property from flood damage.

One of Garrison Flood Control's flagship products is the Mayim™ Flood Barrier, which is a modular, reusable flood barrier system that can be quickly deployed in the event of a flood. The Mayim™ Flood Barrier is made of durable, lightweight materials and can be customized to fit any site or application.

Another popular product from Garrison Flood Control is the Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood Plank System, which can be used to create temporary flood barriers for vulnerable entryways that are prone to flooding. The Hammerhead™ Aluminum Flood Plank is designed to be easy to install and remove, making it an ideal solution for long-term flood protection needs.

For smaller-scale flood protection needs, Garrison Flood Control offers the Guppy™ Flood Tube and the Minnow™ Water Activated Gel Filled Flood Bag. The Guppy™ Flood Tube is a reusable, lightweight tube that can be filled with water to create a temporary flood barrier, while the Minnow™ Flood Bag is a smaller, water activated flood bag that is used to protect doorways, and other openings.

Overall, atmospheric rivers can create major flood threats that can have significant economic, social, and environmental impacts. Fortunately, solutions like those offered by Garrison Flood Control can help protect critical infrastructure and property from flood damage, ensuring that communities are better prepared to weather these potentially devastating events.


Garrison™️ Flood Control provides a complete line of flood control products to combat all kinds of potential flood threats. Our wide variety of flood protection products was developed to meet the flood protection needs of homeowners, municipal public works departments, facility managers, and emergency service departments.

Contact Garrison today to speak with a dedicated Flood Specialist who can help in your flood planning and make recommendations of solutions based on your specific protection needs. Early prevention and preparedness put you in the best possible position to succeed against the costly damages of flooding.


Plan & Prepare With Garrison!


Garrison™ Flood Control is a New York-based manufacturer and distributor of a complete line of flood control products. Garrison products contain, divert, and re-route water away from valuable property, equipment, infrastructure, and facilities and help prevent flood damage due to rising water levels.

For additional information about Garrison Flood Control Systems, please call 929-299-2099 or email sales@garrisonflood.com.


 
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California Flooding: Everything You Should Know

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2023 Spring Flood Outlook