Library Dissertation Showcase

Hydraulic modelling of the experimental natural flood management site at Riseholme

  • Year of Publication:
  • 2020

The aims of this study are to model and show the effectiveness of the Riseholme site as a form of flood risk management using natural processes. In particular the study looks at the
effectiveness of storage ponds, runoff attenuation features, vegetation and side channels within this site. The site in question was modelled in HEC-RAS using drone, GPS and discharge data to produce a DEM and then flood inundation maps at varying discharges. Structure from Motion was found to be an effective method of modelling this site to produce high resolution images and was able to model the small-scale site. The results of these maps show that even under a 5 times normal discharge rate the site can handle the level of water through storing it in ponds and flood plain areas which allow for the water to flow more slowly through the site. This would also allow for infiltration and reduce flood peaks making the site effective at managing flooding. This makes the Riseholme site particularly effective as dealing with medium to small scale flooding events or in the case of the 5 times event it can manage flash flood style events. However, these models assumed there was no water already in the ponds or side channels and so in a larger or more prolonged event we may see these areas become less effective. The study also highlighted some key research gaps in NFM research such as: the longevity, maintenance issues and the modelling of leaky barriers. These issues are highlighted from this research as well as discussed throughout.

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