Open AccessImproving performance targets for flood defence assets
Author(s) -
Flikweert J.,
Simm J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of flood risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.049
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 1753-318X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-318x.2008.00021.x
Subject(s) - flood myth , agency (philosophy) , fragility , business , computer science , operations management , environmental science , environmental resource management , risk analysis (engineering) , geography , engineering , archaeology , philosophy , chemistry , epistemology
The Environment Agency manage over 10 000 km of raised flood defence assets (embankments, walls and structures) in England and Wales. These assets are managed to minimum targets that are expressed as a condition grade: a number between 1 (Very Good) and 5 (Very Poor) that is determined by visual inspection according to the Condition Assessment Manual. This paper discusses the good performance of the defences during the flood events of summer 2007: 1000 km of defences were tested, about 500 km was overtopped, but only four breaches occurred. The events have also shown that breaches can have various causes and that condition grade is only one indicator of performance. The paper then presents an analysis of the fragility of defences leading to the conclusion that in most cases, lower minimum condition grades are acceptable. This should enable more effective use of limited available funds, for example for data collection, analysis or improvement works.