Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
twenty-one years, the worst lower Severn flood in fifty years and worst overall UK summer flooding since 1886.
May-July UK quarterly rainfall was the highest since 1767 (
Figure 14.22
).
Anomalies included England and Wales
July rainfall at 227 per cent of the 1961-90 averages, with local July totals 250-300 per cent of the average across
much of southern England. Whilst it is impossible to say whether this single-season event is due to climate change,
the sequence of higher, more intense rainfall, flash flooding and major river floods corresponds exactly to the IPCC
high-probability twenty-first century forecasts. The writing is clearly on the wall for every aspect of catchment
management and flood protection!
NON-REGULATED FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT
Residential development close
to river exposes people to injury
or death during severe flooding
Vegetation and low slung
bridges crowd channel and
impede flood flows thereby
causing higher flood levels
Dense building on low-lying flood plain
increases flood levels and thereby flood
damages. Building close to river hinders the
engineer design of channel improvement
and flood control work
Not
regulated
Regulated
use
Open space
uses
Open space
uses
Regulated
use
Not
regulated
1 in 100 year flood
1 in 10 year flood
Floodway
fringe
Floodway
fringe
Floodway
REGULATED FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT
Low density building on
regulated floodplains
also floodproofed against
100-year flood
Open space uses have
low damage potential
and allow more easy
passage of flood waters
Residences perched
safely on high ground
Golf course
Natural or artificial
parkland
Regulatory floodplain
Floodplain
Source: After Newson (1992)
