Flood management scheme design should always be about what is best suited to the catchment, watercourse and specific flood risks, and there will be some places where NFM is not appropriate and others where it will be very effective. “Assessing the Risk” has been written collaboratively by the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Forest Research and Local Authorities, using the best available evidence.

Natural flood management (NFM) techniques are not a new concept and in nature these processes have always been occurring. Many of the techniques have also been used successfully in river restoration, water quality and Water Framework Directive related projects. As a set of measures to help manage communities at risk of flooding, NFM is relatively new and therefore it is an area where much active research and policy development is taking place. This risk matrix and assessment process has been produced as a planning tool for those already looking to embark on projects using Leaky Woody Structures (LWS) as a method for ‘slowing the flow’. The assessment presumes that there is already recognition of the benefits of NFM and LWS, in order for this route to have been chosen. If you are not familiar with this topic, there are a number of useful resources on the Catchment Based Approach and Gov.uk websites. The guidance is primarily for NFM scheme developers who use Leaky Woody Structures (LWS), but it will also inform landowners, commissioning bodies, contractors and consenting bodies about the risks they need to consider when planning the installation of these structures. The guidance aims to respond to concerns about potential hazards and liability associated with NFM interventions such as wood moving downstream blocking structures that might increase flooding of neighbouring land, property or people. Undertaking this assessment is intended to ensure that the risks have been thought through and minimised.

Flood management scheme design should always be about what is best suited to the catchment, watercourse and specific flood risks, and there will be some places where NFM is not appropriate and others where it will be very effective. “Assessing the Risk” has been written collaboratively by the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Forest Research and Local Authorities, using the best available evidence. As our knowledge of this field expands and our understanding grows for example about the durability, maintenance and longevity of LWS that have been subjected to very high flows, this guidance will need to be updated.

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