 FARMING FLOODPLAINS for the FUTURE
Following major flooding during summer 2007, and with areas under threat again this winter, flood risk management is high on agendas, with a growing realisation that new approaches to the problem are now required.
The Project
Farming Floodplains for the Future is an important national pilot project, hosted by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and funded by Defra. The key aim of the project is to develop an understanding of how the farmed landscape can be viably managed in ways that reduce flood risk downstream, while also enhancing the natural environment. The 3 year project is focussing on the practicalities of implementing schemes on the ground – it will test the potential of land use solutions to deliver flood management and environmental benefits, and examine how innovative ideas could form part of future policy and delivery. Geographically the project is concentrating on the lowland catchments of the rivers Sow and Penk (and associated section of the Trent) in west Staffordshire.
Hydrology
Initial hydrological analysis of the catchments has already been completed by JBA Consulting. This has highlighted rural run-off as a major factor in the cause of flooding, particularly during sustained rainfall events, with rural tributaries making a substantial contribution to flood risk particularly in the towns of Stafford and Penkridge. Using flood models it has also been demonstrated that large areas of floodplain associated with the main rivers already operate at full capacity. This has resulted in a shift in emphasis for the project, to a more catchment-wide approach – the key to success appears to be to deal with water much closer to where it falls, utilising a number of sites to provide a cumulative reduction in downstream flood risk.
Projects
Now heading towards the end of the first year of the project, the response from landowners and farmers has been positive. Already a number of potential projects have been identified, ranging from small-scale retention areas, through wetland habitat restoration and creation, to innovative attenuation schemes. Most of these are currently at early negotiation stage, with potential designs and establishment of baseline monitoring being progressed. Details of case studies will be made available in due course.
IDB
The project is working in close partnership with the Sow and Penk Internal Drainage Board. Working with the Board members, the project is currently reviewing working practices, with particular reference to their annual maintenance programme.
Contacts
To see a copy of the project leaflet, click here.
For more information on the project, or to get involved, contact :-
Matt Jones
(Wetlands Officer)
Tel (Direct) : 01889 880142
Mob : 07970 062320
E-mail : m.jones@staffs-wildlife.org.uk
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