Slowing the Flow
Project runs
- From: Jan 2017
- To: Dec 2021
Slowing the Flow
Project summary
Pressures from climate change and human activity mean that floods have begun to occur more often and when they do occur result in more costly damage. As a result, traditional approaches to flood management are growing less and less effective. Slowing the Flow is working with nature rather than against it in a cost-effective and ecologically sound way.
With our partners at the Cheshire Wildlife Trust we are using a number of techniques that work to restore a river’s natural flood defences to reduce downstream flooding. Rather than only combating the more traditional symptoms through the construction of costly and imposing concrete barriers we have been improving wetlands, floodplains, and riverbank woodlands. These are natures’ built in flood defences and through their restoration we can work to rehabilitate entire water systems, with far reaching benefits for all.
We are working with landowners and local residents to identify additional suitable areas for this project and where the impact will be the most far-reaching.
What we're doing
- Reducing flood hazards for at risk communities.
- Enhancing the biodiversity of rivers and streams throughout the South West Peak.
- Protecting local water sources by reducing silting and agricultural run-off.
- Working with local landowners and residents to identify areas with the most need.
- Designing monitoring systems to ensure that the project has long lasting benefits.
How to help Slow the Flow!
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Learn more about how to help Slow the Flow in the South West Peak
Protecting the natural environment means taking special care not to damage, destroy or remove features such as rocks, plants and trees. They provide homes and food for wildlife!
Working with natural processes (WWNP) means taking action to manage flood risk by restoring or emulating the natural function of catchments, rivers and floodplains.
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