Lego NFM model

This fun and simple Lego catchment shows how natural flood management (NFM) features can help reduce flood risk.

The model encourages people to explore how water moves through a catchment, and how natural features and processes like peat bogs, leaky barriers and floodplains, can be used in different places.

Lego is fun and accessible for all ages, and it’s a great way to encourage people to start a conversation and explore NFM concepts by ‘having a go’.

People can add rain (with a hi-tech watering can) and try using different NFM features (also known as Nature-based Solutions or NbS) to see how they can reduce the flooding in the town downstream.

Actions include:

  • Restoring the peat bogs to absorb rain water and lock away carbon
  • Slowing the flow with leaky dams
  • Saving the grassy floodplain

 

The first Lego NFM model was developed with the University of Lancaster as part of a science outreach project ‘Festival Bugs’ for Glastonbury 2022.

Thanks to Ali Birkett for creating the very first model and to the many people who’ve added a brick or two and helped us develop it over the years.

The science behind the model is explained in this poster created by Dr Nick Chappell.

 

Learning resources

  • Learning Resources: Rivers

    Learning resources to help understand how engineered structures in the river channel, like culverts, screens and weirs, affect water flow and local flood risk.

  • Learning Resources: Catchments

    Learning resources to help explore how different landscapes and land uses can affect how water flows and the risk of flooding

  • Learning Resources: Weather and climate

    Learning resources to help understand the principles of weather monitoring, why it’s important and how this links to weather hazards and our changing climate.

  • Learning Resources: Coasts

    Learning resources to help explore how different types and combinations of coastal defences can improve resilience to coastal flood risk and erosion.

Top