Beginnings

After a day of heavy rain, all the trees were covered with droplets this morning - the beginning of the water cycle, as drips fall to the earth, feeding springs and streams, which amalgamate to form rivers that flow towards the sea.  Our river was very high this morning, spilling over into the Rowing Lake, which forms part of the flood alleviation for the city of Peterborough. 

The recent flooding in Northern England has re-ignited calls for better flood defences in towns, and more dredging of rivers. People want simple solutions, but the truth is that climate and hydrology are complicated and solutions need to address the whole catchment, taking into account its particular features. Flood defence schemes must include both land management in the upper catchment and development in the lower lying areas. Schemes that restore river corridors to a more natural state have been shown to be relatively cheap and very effective, benefiting both people and wildlife.  

Even if comprehensive, sustainable schemes are developed, there will still be extreme events that overwhelm defences, and in such cases it is important to try and minimise the impacts by improving the resilience of the communities at risk.