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- Natural ways to slow down flood waters
Environment Department researchers investigate natural ways to slow down flood waters
Posted on 29 March 2016
The December 2015 floodwater may have receded, but debates still rage about the best way to deal with future torrents. Should we build higher barriers, dredge rivers or provide more flood gates?
These physical barriers will help, says Professor Colin Brown in our Environment Department. But, he says, it is also important we take a long hard look at the source of the problem in countryside streams, ditches and natural waterways that act as the feedstock for bigger problems down river.
“There’s no single answer.” says Professor Brown. “But, increasingly, the debate is widening to look at measures that work with nature and the natural landscape and that could be applied as a package with physical barriers further downstream.”