Maps for Natural Flood Management

Natural flood management is a means of working with natural processes by implementing nature-based interventions to help reduce the risk of flooding.

Maps to help identify potential areas for working with natural processes to reduce fluvial flood risk have been developed as part of the research project ‘Working with Natural Processes – the evidence base’. This joint project was delivered under the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development programme managed by the Environment Agency.

How to access the maps

The mapping layers have been produced using open access data.  They can be downloaded from the geo-portal for Wales and can be viewed using the on-line webmap.

The maps identify potential areas for the following measures:

• floodplain reconnection
• run-off attenuation features and gully blocking
• woodland planting covering floodplain planting, riparian planting and wider catchment woodland

The potential for some interventions is restricted by features such as soil depth and type, existing woodland and by built infrastructure such as urban areas, roads and railways. An open access constraints dataset is provided to show where potential is restricted.

Further information on the maps is available in the technical guide which accompanies the maps.

How to use the information

It is recommended that the maps are used alongside the Working with Natural Processes Evidence Directory to help users think about the types of measures that could be used and where they may be most effective within a catchment.

The maps do not cover all measures for working with natural processes and users may wish to refer to other sources of relevant information when identifying areas of opportunity.

There is a written guide which sits alongside the Evidence Directory and the maps, which explains how to use them to develop a business case for implementing working with natural processes to reduce flood risk.