No abstract

During the autumn of 2000, England and Wales experienced the wettest conditions for over 270 years, causing significant flooding. The exceptional combination of a wet spring and autumn provided the potential for soil structural degradation. Soils prone to structural degradation under five common lowland cropping systems (autumn-sown crops, late-harvested crops, field vegetables, orchards and sheep fattening and livestock rearing systems) were examined within four catchments that experienced serious flooding. Soil structural degradation of the soil surface, within the topsoil or at the topsoil/subsoil junction, was widespread in all five cropping systems, under a wide range of soil types and in all four catchments. Extrapolation to the catchment scale suggests that soil structural degradation may have occurred on approximately 40% of the Severn, 3035 % of the Yorkshire Ouse and Uck catchments and 20% of the Bourne catchment. Soil structural conditions were linked via hydrological soil group, soil condition and antecedent rainfall conditions to SCS Curve Numbers to evaluate the volume of enhanced runoff in each catchment. Such a response at the catchment-scale is only likely during years when prolonged wet weather and the timing of cultivation practices lead to widespread soil structural degradation. Nevertheless, an holistic catchment-wide approach to managing the interactions between agricultural land use and hydrology, allowing appropriate runoff (and consequent flooding) to be controlled at source, rather than within the floodplain or the river channel, should be highlighted in catchment flood management plans.

ABSTRACT1. There is now an irresistible momentum for a truly integrated and strategic approach to river basin management. As a consequence, the framework within which individual organizations can carry out their roles and responsibilities in a co-ordinated and sustainable way can be determined.2. Extreme events such as floods and droughts have severe social and economic consequences. 'Traditional' engineered responses, which take little account of fluvial processes and ecosystem functioning, often exacerbate these problems and can have severe adverse consequences on the environment.3. Bringing together a range of scientific, technical and engineering disciplines to address catchment management has many advantages. Identifying and implementing innovative solutions that benefit local communities and the environment is the only sustainable way forward for river management.4. Public understanding of risk assessment and management is vital to the success of an integrated approach. So too is a strategic dimension to inform the town and country planning system and major investment decisions by major utilities and public bodies responsible for water supply, pollution control and flood management.5. There are major challenges ahead for public utilities, agencies and professional bodies in terms of attracting, retaining and blending together skilled scientific, engineering and technical specialists. These skills need to be complemented by the ability to convey sophisticated information in readily understood language.

Local flood protection comprises a range of local measures that are available to property owners and small communities in order to prevent or reduce the damage to property from flooding. These include temporary barriers adjacent to properties, moveable barriers fitted to houses and flood-resistant building materials and fittings. Effective use of local protection promises significant benefits. This paper describes the guidance drawn together and developed by the Environment Agency and its partner organisations to promote the use of local protection. The need for effective communication with property owners—as well as local authorities, insurance and building industries—is highlighted.

There are five million people at risk from flooding in England and Wales along with nearly two million homes and 185 000 business properties.The principal operational responsibility for reducing this risk rests with the UK government's Environment Agency, which employs over 5000 staff dedicated to the role. This paper explores key technical, organisational and environmental challenges facing the Environment Agency in delivering sustainable flood defence in England and Wales. It examines new strategic developments and the recent restructuring of the Environment Agency's flood defence service, and illustrates the practicalities of sustainable flood defence by looking at the autumn 2000 floods, the Gainsborough flood alleviation scheme, land use change, river restoration projects and managed realignment of flood defences.