LAST year's flooding in south Galway prompted students in Gort Community School to examine its causes, its effects on the local population and possible remedial action.
Aidan Fahy, Stephen Ward and Seamus O'Donoghue researched the background geology and geography of the area, reports on previous flooding episodes and all available reports of last year's flooding.
They also interviewed both local people affected by it and a number of experts and interested organisations, including Mr Noel Forde, the area engineer, Dr Emer Colleran, of UCG, Dr David Drew, of Trinity College, the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, the IFA and the Meteorological Service.
The research included monitoring water levels for 12 hours at Kinvara quay, Caherglassaun Lake and Coole, and gathering rainfall levels which were compared with those of previous years. They found rainfall in the area in the spring of 1995 much higher than average.
But this was not the only cause of the flooding, they found. Deforestation, blocked sink holes and inadequate drainage also contributed, and their project includes recommendations to deal with these.
On the basis of the survey of local opinion, they found that a drainage system or channel to the sea was seen as the most popular solution. However, they also propose a number of additional measures, including the cleaning and deepening of rivers and streams, reforestation over a long period of time and the identification and annual cleaning of swallow holes.
They also recommended an emergency plan for flooding and the implementation of Government proposals on the relocation of and compensation to affected farmers. They also suggested that water should be stored away from the lowlands and excess water diverted from areas of high discharge.
While nature had a huge impact on flooding in south Galway in 1995, they concluded that human interference and economic development had also contributed to the problem.
The schoolboys stressed that their project had sought to increase the environmental awareness of people in the school and in the area.