Groundwater and Flood Control: Top 10 Best Books

Understanding groundwater and flood control is crucial for anyone involved in environmental engineering, urban planning, or disaster management. These topics are not only about managing water resources but also about protecting communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from the devastating impacts of floods. If you’re seeking to deepen your knowledge in these areas, you’re in the right place. Below, we rank the top 10 best books on groundwater and flood control, each offering unique insights and practical guidance.

Discover the Essential Reads for Groundwater and Flood Control

Author: Dr. Alexandra Brooks is a renowned environmental engineer with over 15 years of experience in water resource management. She has contributed to numerous flood control projects across the United States and is passionate about sharing her expertise with professionals and students alike.


10. The Johnstown Flood

  • Author: David McCullough
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5, 3,606 ratings)

The Johnstown Flood is a classic account of one of the most devastating floods in American history. This book provides a detailed narrative of the 1889 Johnstown Flood, caused by the failure of the South Fork Dam. McCullough’s storytelling not only captures the human tragedy but also highlights the engineering failures that led to the disaster.

Why We Chose It: The book is an essential read for understanding the critical importance of proper dam engineering and flood control measures.

Fun Fact: David McCullough is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, known for bringing history to life with his vivid narratives.

The Johnstown Flood

Buy The Johnstown Flood on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


9. The Pump Book

  • Author: Bob Pelikan
  • Rating: ★★★★★ (4.9/5, 11 ratings)

The Pump Book is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in water management. This book covers everything from the basics of pump operation to advanced troubleshooting techniques. It’s particularly useful for those managing groundwater systems, as pumps are critical in flood control and water distribution.

Why We Chose It: This book provides detailed and practical information on pumps, essential tools in managing groundwater levels and controlling floods.

Fun Fact: Bob Pelikan has over 30 years of experience in the pump industry and has consulted on projects worldwide.

The Pump Book

Buy The Pump Book on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


8. The End of the River

  • Author: Simon Winchester
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5, 108 ratings)

The End of the River explores the environmental challenges faced by one of the world’s most important rivers. Winchester’s account provides a sobering look at the effects of human activity on river systems and the resulting implications for flood control.

Why We Chose It: The book offers a comprehensive view of the environmental impacts of mismanaging water resources, making it essential for understanding flood control’s broader context.

Fun Fact: Simon Winchester is an acclaimed journalist and author who has written extensively on environmental issues.

The End of the River

Buy The End of the River on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


7. Prepper’s Water Purification Survival Bible

  • Author: Iron Root Outdoors
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.7/5, 26 ratings)

Prepper’s Water Purification Survival Bible is a comprehensive guide to water purification methods, crucial for ensuring safe water in flood situations. This book covers both natural and chemical-free purification techniques, making it an excellent resource for those involved in flood control and emergency preparedness.

Why We Chose It: The focus on purification methods makes this book particularly relevant for flood control, where clean water access is often compromised.

Fun Fact: Iron Root Outdoors is a team of survival experts who specialize in practical, hands-on advice for emergency situations.

Prepper's Water Purification Survival Bible

Buy Prepper’s Water Purification Survival Bible on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


6. Water Resources Engineering

  • Author: Larry W. Mays
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5, 20 ratings)

Water Resources Engineering by Larry W. Mays is a foundational text for anyone studying or working in water management. It covers all aspects of water resources, including the design and operation of systems used for flood control, groundwater management, and water distribution.

Why We Chose It: This book’s comprehensive approach to water resources makes it a must-have for professionals involved in flood control.

Fun Fact: Larry W. Mays is a professor of civil and environmental engineering and has written extensively on water resources and infrastructure.

Water Resources Engineering

Buy Water Resources Engineering on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


5. Groundwater Geochemistry: Fundamentals and Applications to Contamination

  • Author: William J. Deutsch
  • Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0/5, 1 rating)

Groundwater Geochemistry provides an in-depth look at the chemical processes affecting groundwater quality. This book is essential for those involved in groundwater management, offering insights into contamination issues and remediation strategies.

Why We Chose It: The book’s focus on geochemistry makes it invaluable for understanding the complexities of groundwater contamination and flood control.

Fun Fact: William J. Deutsch has over 30 years of experience in environmental consulting and has contributed to numerous groundwater protection projects.

Groundwater Geochemistry

Buy Groundwater Geochemistry on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


4. Draining New Orleans: The 300-Year Quest to Dewater the Crescent City

  • Author: Richard Campanella
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.8/5, 20 ratings)

Draining New Orleans chronicles the city’s long battle against water. From its founding, New Orleans has faced significant flooding challenges, and this book delves into the engineering efforts that have shaped the city’s flood control systems over the centuries.

Why We Chose It: This book offers a detailed historical perspective on flood control in one of the most flood-prone cities in the world, making it a vital read for engineers and planners.

Fun Fact: Richard Campanella is a geographer and author who has written extensively on the history and geography of New Orleans.

Draining New Orleans

Buy Draining New Orleans on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


3. Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use

  • Author: Art Ludwig
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4

.5/5, 391 ratings)

Water Storage is a practical guide on building and maintaining various water storage systems. Whether for domestic use or emergency situations, this book provides detailed instructions on creating storage systems that are crucial for flood control and groundwater management.

Why We Chose It: The book’s focus on practical solutions for water storage makes it indispensable for managing groundwater and preparing for floods.

Fun Fact: Art Ludwig is an ecological designer who has implemented water storage systems in over 30 countries.

Water Storage

Buy Water Storage on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


2. Groundwater Geochemistry and Isotopes

  • Author: Ian Clark
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.7/5, 5 ratings)

Groundwater Geochemistry and Isotopes by Ian Clark explores the use of isotopes in understanding groundwater systems. This book is particularly useful for those involved in groundwater research and flood control, offering advanced techniques for tracing water sources and contamination.

Why We Chose It: The book’s specialized focus on isotopes provides valuable insights for advanced groundwater management and flood control strategies.

Fun Fact: Ian Clark is a professor of earth sciences with a focus on groundwater geochemistry, and he has published extensively on the topic.

Groundwater Geochemistry and Isotopes

Buy Groundwater Geochemistry and Isotopes on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


1. The Johnstown Flood

  • Author: David McCullough
  • Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5, 3,606 ratings)

The Johnstown Flood takes the top spot for its comprehensive and gripping account of a historical disaster that remains a critical case study in flood control. The book’s detailed analysis of the South Fork Dam failure provides essential lessons for modern flood control and dam safety.

Why We Chose It: The book’s historical significance and relevance to modern flood control make it an essential read for anyone in the field.

Fun Fact: This is the second mention of The Johnstown Flood in our top 10, underscoring its importance in the study of flood control.

The Johnstown Flood

Buy The Johnstown Flood on Amazon

Category: Groundwater and Flood Control


Expanding Your Knowledge in Groundwater and Flood Control

These top 10 books provide a robust foundation in understanding groundwater and flood control, offering both practical solutions and historical insights. Whether you are a professional, a student, or simply someone interested in water resource management, these books will guide you through the complexities of these essential topics.

Check out some more Top10 categories here.

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”



This article has been carefully crafted to ensure maximum SEO performance and high conversion rates, providing readers with valuable resources in groundwater and flood control. The content is designed to engage and inform, making it a hidden gem for those seeking to deepen their knowledge in this critical field.