Flooding
In the Thames Region, flood defence is an important part of our business, accounting for nearly half of our expenditure and our workforce.
In total, over 1.5 million people are potentially at risk from flooding.
We have four main duties:
1. We must be aware of possible new building developments on land liable to flooding and alert local planning authorities of the risk. We gather data that helps us define flood plain areas at risk from river or tidal flooding in our region. Our specialists continually carry out studies to give us a better understanding of why floods happen and how their effects can be minimised.
2. We carry out works to maintain river channels in good condition. These include:
- removing obstructions;
- cutting back dead or dying trees that might fall and block the channel;
- removing reeds and weeds that could cause blockages;
- dredging watercourses to remove the build up of silt;
- making sure sluices, pumps, weirs and other essential structures work properly.
3. We assess where new flood defence works are needed - and then build them. This could involve strengthening river walls, embankments, realigning water courses, digging flood relief channels and building new weirs and sluices.
4. We are committed to providing effective flood warnings and maintaining awareness of flood risk. These are perhaps our highest profile tasks.
At all times and in whatever we do in flood defence, we keep a firm eye on the needs of wildlife and of the environment as a whole. The aim is to enhance the environment as we build better flood defences. We work with our conservation specialists and take every opportunity to create new wildlife habitats as well as preserve existing ones. The Jubilee River scheme is a great example of how a flood defence scheme has created a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife.
Click on the pages below for further information on Thames flooding issues.
- Salmons Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme
- Abingdon July 2007 flood review
How to get hold of a copy of the Abingdon flood review. - Catchment Flood Management Plans – Thames Region
The Catchment Flood Management Plan for Thames Region will provide an overview for managing the long-term flood risk within a catchment over the next 50 to 100 years. It will be used to identify and agree policies for sustainable flood risk management when working with other organisations and decision-makers. - Flood - The Movie
The facts behind the fiction. - Surrey Alert
If a major incident occurs in Surrey, including flooding, this site will give vital information to the people who live, work in, or travel through Surrey. - River Churn Catchment
Managing the risk of flooding in the River Churn catchment - River Roding Flood Risk Management Strategy
This strategy is being produced to investigate options for managing flood risk in the River Roding catchment for the next 100 years. - The Thames Estuary
Reasons why the Thames Estuary is vulnerable to flooding - The Thames Barrier
Flood Defence for London - The Lower Thames
The Lower Thames extends from Hurley to Teddington and includes many properties at risk from flooding. This section includes details of the Lower Thames Strategy and the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme. - Flood Event Report 13-14 August 2006
Report into the river flooding on 13 and 14 August 2006 in North West Surrey and North East Hampshire. - Oxford Flood Risk Management Study
A detailed study into the causes and potential solutions of flooding in Oxford - after the floods in December 2000 that affected around 160 properties.
