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2D FLOODPLAIN MODELLING IN THE TIDAL THAMES — ADDRESSING THE RESIDUAL RISK
Author(s) -
Tarrant O.,
Todd M.,
Ramsbottom D.,
Wicks J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2005.tb00560.x
Subject(s) - floodplain , flood myth , flooding (psychology) , flood risk assessment , weir , flood risk management , environmental planning , agency (philosophy) , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , risk analysis (engineering) , residual risk , event (particle physics) , risk management , civil engineering , environmental resource management , water resource management , engineering , geography , business , cartography , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , psychology , philosophy , physics , epistemology , finance , quantum mechanics , reliability engineering , psychotherapist
Over the course of history, development in and around London has encroached significantly into the River Thames floodplain. As a result, approximately 116 km 2 of heavily urbanised land between Teddington Weir and Dartford Creek is at risk of tidal flooding. This area is currently protected from overtopping for levels in excess of the 1:1000‐year flood event by an integrated system of static and moveable defences. However, the residual risk due to the probability of defence failure (through breaching) and the resulting consequences of such a failure remains high. To effectively manage this risk the Environment Agency needs to be able to prioritise investment in the defence system, predict probable flood extents as a result of a breach event, issue timely warnings and ensure that the response to an event is an appropriate one. Currently, this is not possible due to a distinct lack of information regarding the propagation of floodwaters through the complex urban topography in and around London. This paper details a 2D floodplain modelling project, currently underway within the Environment Agency, which was initiated to address these issues. The paper highlights the constraints and problems associated with urban flood modelling, suggests potential solutions and outlines how this type of modelling system could be used to inform future flood risk management tools.