1815 Flood management gatefold leaflet

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Storm Desmond brought record rainfall in December 2015* bringing severe gales and widespread flooding to many areas, with Cumbria suffering the greatest impact. Flooding that has had a devastating effects on lives and livelihoods.

This leaflet aims to give an introduction to the principles of ‘NFM’* “Natural Flood Management”, to encourage the Citizens, Landowners and local government to consider using the principle of ‘NFM’ here in Cumbria.

Natural Flood Management is the technique of restoring and emulating the natural regulating functions of Catchments, Rivers and Floodplains in order to use nature to manage and reduce the impact of floods.

The planting of trees is just one example of Natural Flood Management here are a few other ways we could use ‘NFM’ to protect Cumbria. (*Environment Agency) (*www.sepa.org.uk)

Natural Peatlands: Slight changes to fields and drains can restore natural peatlands & stop water arriving in the river all at once.

River Management: Re-meandering of rivers & allowing detris & tree residue to build up forming natural dams can slow the water flow.

Agri Land management: Working with farmers and landowners to manage farmland run-off.

Responsible Construction: Planning and using construction methods that have minimal impact on floodplains and the enviorment.

Washlands and reservoirs: letting water spread naturally across farmland reduces the rate at which it arrives down stream.

Temporary lakes: Simple soil embankments and soft engineering could allow storage of very large amounts of water acoss the lakes.

Replanting woodland: Trees can slow water down or prevent it reaching rivers.

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“Hi I’m Sian , I’m an apprentice conservation officer and I have produced this leaflet with the help of Fixers, the campaign that gives young people a voice, to introduce you to the principles of Natural Flood Management.

I’m keen for natural flood management methods to be implemented, such as planting trees on higher land, allowing rivers to naturally meander and dredging rivers in towns.

The one thing I remember that always sticks in my head from Storm Desmond in 2015 is being in my boyfriend’s living room watching the national news and seeing their car floating down one of the streets in Kendal.

Having seen the devastating impact that flooding can have on people’s lives, I want to see more protection put in place against the elements for at-risk communities.

I think anybody who supports natural flood management is completely aware of the fact that this is something that needs to go alongside hard engineering options that will have faster effects.

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The two things are not mutually exclusive. This is our town and our community.

So it is our future that we need to be looking after. I hope you will consider Natural Flood Management as part of the solution in protecting that future” Sian, 20, Cumbria.

www.sepa.org.uk www.gov.uk www.catchmentbasedapproach.org

fixers.org.uk/NFM

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