World

US river straightened 110 years ago to drain land, now set for restoration to reduce floods

Authorities in Tennessee, US, have acquired 985 acres along the South Fork of the Forked Deer River to reduce flooding and restore natural habitats. The river was straightened in 1916 to drain surrounding land, but the changes contributed to flash floods and erosion. The restoration project aims to reconnect the river with its floodplain and eventually open the area to the public.