UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap
The flood hydrology roadmap released in March 2022 sets out a vision to help scientists and practitioners across the UK better predict future flood events and improve flood resilience across the UK. JBA Trust helped in shaping and authoring the roadmap, which was published by the Environment Agency on behalf of the UK flood hydrology community. We are continuing to support the implementation of the roadmap through its scientific advisory group.
Watch the video below for an update in June 2023 where Rob Lamb from JBA Trust outlined the development of the UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap, how it has defined a 25 year plan for research and innovation, and what actions are now being taken to deliver on the roadmap’s vision.
Video: The UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap: a 25 year plan of action
The talk is part of the CIWEM Flood Resilience series.
Background information
The roadmap brings together the views of more than 100 experts from over 50 organisations. It will improve hydrological data, models and science, which can be used to inform how the UK adapts to flood risk from rivers, surface water, groundwater and reservoirs.
These models and data sets will underpin flood risk management for decades to come, with benefits to areas including:
- design and maintenance of flood defences
- national and local flood risk assessment and mapping
- the design and operation of flood forecasting and warning schemes
- design and operation of sustainable drainage systems
- understanding the benefits of nature-based flood management systems.
The roadmap sets out steps for better understanding of the impact of environmental changes on flood risk, and will support improved modelling of past and future impacts of climate and land use change.
By bringing together the views of scientists and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines and sectors, the roadmap advances flood hydrology both as a technical discipline and as a profession. It is a landmark report that will shape hydrology and flood management for years to come.
– Rob Lamb, JBA Trust director and member of roadmap steering group
This roadmap provides us with a fantastic opportunity to better understand the science behind flooding and will be an invaluable tool in helping us understand future flood risk.
– Dr Sean Longfield, Environment Agency, lead author of the report
With £6.9 million already secured by the Environment Agency to start delivering on the roadmap, it will be a foundation for continuing investment in the science and practice of hydrology in the UK. The estimated funding for science, innovation and improvements in practice required to implement the roadmap is between £110 million and £165 million over the next 25 years.
We need continued and improved partnership working and collaboration across the flood hydrology community to succeed in achieving the vision of the UK flood hydrology roadmap.
