The River Wye and Lugg Natural Flood Management Project
Reducing the risk of flooding to Herefordshire communities
Using natural processes to slow the flow of water, this innovative Natural Flood Management (NFM) project aims to reduce the risk of flooding to Herefordshire communities. Through our project we are working with landowners and communities within the seven priority sub-catchments (see map below) to design ways in which we can work together to reduce flooding.
Our project seeks to move away from traditional flood defence techniques. By focusing on the use of natural processes and land management measures to both slow the flow of water and store the water within upland areas, it is possible to reduce the risk of flooding to downstream communities. A variety of techniques can be used to do this:
- Increasing infiltration into the soils - By adopting better soil management techniques such as contour ploughing and planting cover crops, it is possible to improve the soil structure and organic matter content of the soils. This helps increase the amount of water soaking into the soils, meaning it takes longer for the water to reach the watercourse
- Slowing the flow of water - By creating features which obstruct flow across the river channel or floodplain, for example "leaky dams", it is possible to hold back water associated with higher flows. This results in lower flood levels downstream of the features
- Storing water upstream - Water can be stored within the upstream catchment and released slowly. This can be done by using existing storage areas and by creating new ponds, wetland areas or below-ground temporary water storage (attenuation) basins
Our project is one of 26 catchment scale projects funded by £15m of DEFRA funding for NFM projects in England. It also seeks to deliver wider benefits such as improvements to water quality, enhanced biodiversity and socio-economic benefits. We will also gather evidence through the project on the effects and benefits of Natural Flood Management.
To help deliver our project, Herefordshire Council are working in partnership with the Environment Agency, Local Flood Action Groups, local communities and other key delivery partners. These include: Severn Rivers Trust, Wye & Usk Foundation, Natural England, National Trust, National Farmers Union, Farm Herefordshire, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, Herefordshire Meadows and the Forestry England.
NFM Construction Grant Scheme
The NFM Construction Grant Scheme provides funding to support landowners and farmers within the projects priority sub-catchments to alter their land and water management practices in order to slow the flow of water and reduce flood risk to downstream communities.
Works delivered so far
Thanks to the support of local landowners and communities, a wide variety of NFM measures have already been implemented within the seven priority sub-catchments, helping to slow the flow of water and reduce the flood risk to downstream communities.
To find out more, click on some of our case study examples.
In channel water retention
Tree and hedge planting
Over winter cover
- Case studies coming soon
- Case studies coming soon
In field water retention
- Case study coming soon
Image from Trent Rivers Trust
- Case study coming soon.
- Case study coming soon.
Thanks to all the participating landowners. Without your continued support and involvement we would not be able to implement the NFM measures that are helping to reduce the flood risk to downstream communities.
- Bodenham Brooks catchment map
- Brimfield Brook catchment map
- Cheaton, Cogwell and Ridgemoor Brooks catchment map
- Dulas Brook catchment map
- Pentaloe Brook catchment map
- Tedstone Brook catchment map
- The Red, Norton and Twyford Brooks catchment map
To help gather the evidence needed to demonstrate the multiple benefits that can be achieved through the use of NFM, a comprehensive monitoring programme has been developed and implemented.
As part of their site visits, Catchment Advisors from the Wye and Usk Foundation and Severn Rivers Trust have been conducting free soil tests. By analysing the soil’s structure, organic matter content, worm count and infiltration rate, the advisors are able to identify opportunities to improve the soil health. These improvements not only help reduce flood risk, but they also help to reduce nutrient losses from the soil and help prevent soil erosion. Good soil health is also integral to a sustainable farm business.
Left: Soil in undersown maize field. Right: soil in bare maize stubble field. Image provided by the Wye and Usk Foundation.
To help us understand how different land management practices affect the soil’s ability to hold moisture, the project is undertaking a comprehensive soil moisture analysis study, involving both arable and grassland scenarios. Data is currently being collected and the findings will be shared in due course.
River and rainfall monitoring
To help us better understand how the catchments respond to different rainfall events and the impact that NFM measures are having on this, river and rainfall monitoring stations have been installed in all of the priority sub-catchments. This data, combined with local information, has helped us develop our understanding of how the catchments responded to the devastating flood events in Herefordshire in October 2019 and February 2020.
Rainfall monitoring images provided by Hydro-Logic Services (International) Ltd.
Data collected from these monitoring stations is publicly available at:
- Website: www.timeview2.net
- User name: Wye and Lugg NFM Project
- Password: slowtheflow
Rainfall data for Brimfield brook catchment is being collected and is available to view from Environment Agency monitoring station 1792.
Fixed point photography monitoring
Project volunteers have been busy collecting photo evidence to show how the watercourses respond to rainfall events. By repeatedly taking photographs of the same location it is possible to gather anecdotal evidence to show how the NFM measures are impacting the catchments response during a flood event.
Thanks to the volunteers for their time and support with collecting these images.
To ensure local communities are at the heart of this project, NFM Catchment Community groups have been set up in each of the project catchment areas. These groups give local residents the opportunity to have oversight on the projects' progress. They also provide an opportunity to share local knowledge on flooding, which helps to shape how the project is delivered within the catchment.
If you would like to join one of the NFM Catchment Community Groups then please get in touch with Beth Lewis.
Covid-19 note: Due to the latest guidance on helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus, all forthcoming NFM Community Group meetings are cancelled until further notice. We will continue to review the situation and are looking at how we continue to keep communities involved in the NFM project.
Get involved or find out more
If you would like to get involved with the project or find out more please contact Herefordshire Council’s Natural Flood Management Project Officer, Beth Lewis.Send Email