The floodplains project

The floodplain area shaped by the Severn river and its feeder network is vast. Linking the Warwickshire Avon, the river Teme and hundreds of smaller streams, the network extends for over 11,000 km. It defines a vast flat landscape at the heart of England and Wales.

Once home to thriving wetlands, diverse floodplain meadows and rich woodlands, the landscape now suffers poor water quality, increased flooding and nature decline. We’re working to turn that around, for nature and people.

700 km2

of agricultural land in the Severn vale is at risk of severe flooding.

12 million

people live in or within 20 miles of the Severn basin catchment.

Working in this nationally important landscape, we’re working with farmers, communities and business to build positive stories of change.

Ranger and volunteers measuring peat depth at Holcombe Moor, Lancashire

©National Trust/Paul Harris

The impact of flooding

For farmers and communities, flooding is critical concern in our landscape.

As the climate changes, flooding is becoming harder to predict and more frequent. It means farmers are losing crops and are being forced to rethink how to manage the land. Nutrients such as pesticides are flowing straight back into the rivers, polluting vital water systems.

But changing land use to slow the flow of water from the land can help protect rivers and people from harm. It’s an essential part of building a sustainable landscape.

Image: Multishooter/Shutterstock.com

Ranger on edge of scallop-shaped pool at Holcombe Moor, Lancashire

©National Trust/Paul Harris

Our work to restore vital floodplains

In a busy setting like ours and when money is tight, it’s vital that investment is targeted to deliver the maximum benefit – for nature and the people who live in, visit and operate in the landscape.

This means collaboration is at the core of our approach to nature recovery. We’re looking for schemes that help nature recover, and deliver for people too.

And we’re focused on scale. Working with our members in every county, we’re creating a consistent programme running from the hills in Wales down to the sea, It’s a nationally important initiative to build sustainable futures for all.

The scale of the problem

88%

of floodplain meadow habitat has now been lost in the Severn and Avon Vales (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust)

47,000

homes and 9,500 businesses are at risk of flooding in the River Severn Partnership area (Environment Agency and River Severn Partnership)

82,000ha

of agricultural land is at risk of flooding in the River Severn Partnership area (Land Cover Map)

Working with farmers to restore nature

Working closely with the farming community, our work is focused on supporting change to land use – to store more water, improve water quality and deal with flooding’s impact. Together, we’re building a model that delivers new options for farmers, and sows the seeds for nature recovery.

To ensure long-term success, it’s imperative that new approaches are financially sustainable for farmers, which is why we’re building partnerships which make change viable. Find out more about this government-supported initiative here.

Creating diverse wetlands

Wetland regions are among the most valuable habitats for biodiversity. Covering just 3% of the UK, they support 10% of our wildlife species. But over 90% of our wetlands have disappeared over the last century, leaving wildlife in severe decline.

Not only are these habitats invaluable for the survival of rare and significant wildlife, but they also absorb and store water like sponges, slowly releasing it over vast wetland plains. By creating a chain of these ecological powerhouses along our riverbanks, we can effectively slow the flow of floodwater, protecting valuable agricultural land.

Expanding woodland along riverbanks

Introducing more woodland along the riverbanks will create a natural obstacle to slow waterflow, with dense roots systems that support riverbanks against erosion and collapse. As well as reducing the severity of flood events, riparian woodland (or woodland that borders water) provides myriad benefits for nature’s recovery.

Vegetation along riverbanks acts as a natural water filter, trapping sediment and pesticides before they pollute vital water systems. Trees also provide river shade, which maintains a cooler water temperature to boost aquatic biodiversity, while woodland habitat supports a variety of important wildlife on land. Like other forests, woodland provides major carbon storage, which is vital for reducing our impact on the environment.

Enhancing important floodplain meadows

Floodplain meadow is some of the most valuable, diverse and resilient land in the UK, offering significant potential for farming and nature to thrive side-by-side. These expansive plains of flat land provide ample space for floodwaters to spread safely – but they’re also incredibly adaptable and nutrient-rich, making them ideal for sustainable agriculture. High-quality grasslands are perfect for grazing livestock, while supporting a wealth of biodiversity, improving water quality, and providing vast amounts of carbon storage.

The Severn and Avon Vales were once made up of a rich mosaic of these thriving, culturally important meadows, but sadly over 88% of this precious habitat has now been lost. It’s crucial that we safeguard and enhance what remains.