Climate change means more extreme weather events; hotter summers, warmer winters, bigger and more frequent storm events. With this comes the threat of increased flash floods and flood risks.
Natural flood management (NFM) aims to reduce the downstream maximum water height of a flood (the flood peak) or to delay the arrival of the flood peak downstream, increasing the time available to prepare for floods.
It works by restricting the progress of water through a catchment by making the catchment rougher and more difficult for water to flow quickly over land and in stream.
The phrases “Slow the flow” or “Working with natural processes” are sometimes used to describe this approach to reducing flood risk. You can see example of the ‘slowing the flow’ work in Box woods.
Check your flood risk
The government have a handy tool to establish how likely it is for your property to flood. They also have a map plotting the areas most at risk of flooding. You may think, considering we’re well inland and many of us live at the top of a hill, that flooding isn’t much of a concern for us, however, there are quite a few residential areas that are directly affected by flood risk and moreover, we have an important influence over the management of flooding in Nailsworth and along the Golden Valley.
How can you help to slow the flow?
Stroud has a programme of natural flood management work; you can find out all about it here. But what can you do at home, or while enjoying the local countryside to help reduce flood risk and prepare for the possibility of flooding?
Design a Rain Garden
A rain garden is a shallow sunken area planted with wet tolerant plants that can also withstand drought. They are fantastic for wildlife and have the capacity to absorb far more water than a lawn.
Plant varieties could include amsonia and Iris pseudacorus, pennisetum and a whole range of grasses. the RHS have lots more suggestions and information on how to make your own rain garden.
Choose a permeable driveway
Rather than paving, tarmac or concrete, choose materials for your paths and driveway that’ll soak in surface water. There are some fantastic options available including the more traditional styles like gravel or you could even go for a green drive, using grass reinforcement matting. The RHS has some great ideas here.
Don’t clear waterways
Building dens and getting creative can be all part of making a walk fun for all the family, however, when you’re out and about, bear in mind that a random heap of branches and logs clogging up a stream through the woods is likely to be a carefully placed, natural flood management defence and should not be disturbed.
How can you prepare your home for floods?
It’s easy to take an it-won’t-happen-to-me stance when it comes to flooding but anyone who has been through it will know it’s better to be safe than sorry. Surface water flooding can happen very quickly – you need only ask the residents of Nailsworth for an account of the flood in 2020 to know how fast it can happen and how damaging it can be. The Environment Agency has put together a very handy guide full of ideas for how to protect your property from flooding.
