As work on the Nature-Based Solutions – Natural Flood Management project draws to a close, the team at Steel Valley Project and our partner agencies thought it would be valuable to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the positive impacts the initiative has had on the local community and environment.
Recently, representatives from the Environment Agency, Sheffield City Council, and The Woodland Trust gathered at Glen Howe Park, one of the key sites involved in the project, to see first-hand the work that has been done. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the project’s successes and the ongoing benefits it will bring to the area.
At Glen Howe, the team has implemented a variety of nature-based interventions designed to manage flood risk in a sustainable way. Among the most notable elements of the project are the installation of leaky dams, tree planting, and the creation of new ponds. These measures are not only effective in slowing down the flow of water and reducing flood risks, but they also provide benefits for local wildlife and biodiversity.
92 Leaky Dams installed
Leaky dams have been strategically placed along the course of streams in the area. These structures allow water to slowly filter through, reducing the speed and volume of flow during heavy rainfall. By creating temporary water storage, leaky dams help prevent downstream flooding while providing natural habitats for various species.
2800 trees planted
The addition of new trees throughout the park has multiple benefits. Trees absorb and slow down surface water, improving the resilience of the land to heavy rainfall.
7 ponds created
Ponds have been created to provide natural water storage, further alleviating flood risks. These wetland areas also act as a valuable habitat for a range of wildlife and improving biodiversity
Flood management is an ever-present challenge. One of the most crucial takeaways from the Steel Valley Project is the value of collaboration and partnership working between agencies. Key figures involved in the project, including Tom Newman, General Manager at Steel Valley Project, Julia James and Jackie Lowe from the Environment Agency, and Roger Nowell from Sheffield City Council, discuss how working together allows for pooling knowledge, expertise, and resources, all of which are vital in developing effective solutions. The Steel Valley Project has demonstrated how this collaboration can lead to the creation of successful flood management systems, and showcases the importance of local knowledge as well as expertise and skills in this field. This was vital in identifying the correct sites for the flood management installations, and the volunteer team led by Richard Saunders, Steel Valley Project’s Environmental Officer had the necessary skills and experience to implement the creation of the dams and ponds. .
Richard Saunders, and Mark Robinson, a volunteer with Steel Valley Project give us a closer look at how these flood defences are built using natural and sustainable materials and how they contribute to flood management in the local area.
Roger Nowell from Sheffield City Council also offers his perspective on the future of flood management in Sheffield, explaining that although new flood defences are currently being built to address existing challenges, he emphasises that they can only do so much. The increasing frequency and severity of rainfall events, exacerbated by climate change, means that flood management will need to incorporate this type of nature based solution in the future and it is clear that a more holistic effort will be needed to safeguard communities from flooding.
As the project reaches its end, it is clear that the work done in Glen Howe Park and across the wider area will have a lasting impact. Not only should it reduce flood risk, but it will also enhance the local environment, While this marks the end of this phase of the project, there will be ongoing monitoring and maintenance and It is hoped that this initiative will serve as a model for future flood management projects, demonstrating the power of nature-based solutions and the importance of collaboration in achieving long-term environmental goals.
Follow the link to watch our video showing the impact the project has had https://youtu.be/_jZVtrgHNFk