Managing flood water
The best way to reduce the risk of flood is to focus on ways that work with nature, not against it, such as constructing flood barriers. So, here we look at the different ways in which we can help minimise the risk.
Managing and planning for floods
Flood water can come from rivers and the sea. We are developing flood management plans for both types of flooding. These are called Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) for rivers, and Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) for sea flooding and coastal erosion. These consider a large area of land, so that we can assess how defending from flooding in one area may have an effect elsewhere.
Changes of land use, such as building houses or putting down concrete can also have an effect on flood risk. Because of this, we advise against developments that will have an adverse affect on flooding. Find out more below.
We sent reservoir flood maps to all local authorities and reservoir operators in December 2009. The maps will be used to assist the production of emergency plans. These will ensure we are well prepared for reservoir flooding emergencies.
Protecting the river environment and managing flood risk is part of our job. We reduce the risk of flooding by undertaking maintenance work in our rivers and to our river and sea defences.
Probably the most visible signs of flood risk management are flood defences. We build ‘hard defences’ of concrete, metal or other construction but we also try to use natural processes wherever possible to reduce flood risk.
Find out about some of the flood schemes in your area.
Find out about some of the flood strategies in your area.
