How Natural Solutions Are Shaping the Future of Flood Resilience
Natural Flood Management (NFM) is a hot topic in the world of flood risk at present. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, the Environment Agency (EA) has taken decisive action with an updated Working with Natural Processes Evidence Directory. This comprehensive update, covering research from 2017 to 2023, reaffirms the vital role of Natural Flood Management as a critical approach to improving the UK’s flood resilience.
By making this updated evidence accessible to practitioners, the EA is enabling more informed decisions about implementing nature-based solutions that not only mitigate flooding but also deliver significant environmental benefits.
Natural Flood Management (NFM) vs. Traditional Approaches
Rather than suppressing natural processes with increasingly complex engineering systems, we’re now starting to view natural systems more as an ally. Where NFM measures give natural systems space to function, rather than trying to further constrain and control them.
NFM measures, such as woodlands and dams, act as a dampening buffer against sudden heavy rainfall, increasing lag time between rainfall and peak flow by feeding water into river systems over longer periods of time. This reduces the “flashiness” of a catchment by slowing the conveyance of water through the system.
Although often deployed at a local scale, their value to local communities can extend beyond reducing flood risk through environmental improvements, enhanced biodiversity, increased carbon storage and better water quality. These benefits also have positive ripple effects at both national and global scale.
A number of studies have now demonstrated that NFM measures should be taken just as seriously as traditional engineering measures. Their effects are proven and real— and should not be seen as merely a superficial strategy. For example, a study in Cumbria found that flood water flow was slowed by 14-50% in woodland compared to pasture. Furthermore, a five-year Littlestock Brook trial on the River Evenlode in Oxfordshire tested several measures simultaneously, including woody dams, creating 230m of new watercourses, and planting 14.4 hectares of new woodland. Results showed reductions in flood water heights by up to 55.2% across all analysed storms.
The EA’s acknowledgment of these studies through the directory helps solidify NFM’s place among commonly deployed measures rather than being seen as second order solutions.
Reframing Our View of Natural Landscapes
The directory not only highlights the value of future NFM projects but also emphasises the value of our current woodlands and natural landscapes. They should be viewed not just through the lens of raw material economics but as biological defences for communities. With each tree lost, the flood risk to communities increases a little, at scale this can be devastating.
Looking Forward for Flood Risk
It’s encouraging to see the EA setting the tone and reemphasising the need to broaden the suite of solutions that are looked at when addressing flood risk. A growing appreciation for longer-termism and collaboration with nature creates a win-win for all parties.
While short-term hard protection measures remain essential, this new directory makes a strong case for giving a more equal weighting to both engineered and natural approaches. A change in approach is now warranted, by looking at hydrological systems holistically, and diagnosing fundamental issues of why floods occur rather than merely treating their damaging symptoms. It is important to note that often the most effective solution may not yield immediate benefits but may require patience and time to mature.
NFM measures are becoming an increasingly important weapon in our efforts against flooding amidst the growing pressures of climate change. It is imperative to pursue and implement NFM schemes energetically so that our returns from these investments can begin compounding for this generation and the next.
Our team at FPS Environmental Ltd is ready to assit with Natural Flood Management consultations/ Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help, contact us here for more information.
Written By Sebastian Henshaw, Flood Risk Consultant