Ripon Multi-objective National Pilot Project: Progress Report 7
This is the final progress report to be produced by Defra and it provides the final update of key developments within the Ripon Multi-objective Project.
1.0 Forestry Research – Modelling the impact of floodplain woodland
Forest Research now have about two years flow and rainfall data collected from the Laver catchment. Along with various other data such as digital terrain modelling the researchers are now in a position to build the floodplain woodland model. The outcome of this will now form part of the Defra Innovation Fund project Restoring Floodplain Woodland for Flood Alleviation. In this project the model will help to determine where and how the woodland will be planted to best provide flood management.
2.0 Ripon Sensitivity Modelling
In the final few months of the project an opportunity arose to undertake some broad scale modelling. The aim of the work was to investigate the impact of land use and management changes within the catchment on the flows of the River Skell in Ripon.
A range of hypothetical changes were modelled along with actual rainfall and flow data. The geology and soil types were constants throughout. By adjusting the land use/management while keeping the rest of the model constant it was hoped to find the degree of change necessary to significantly impact on run off and consequent flood levels.
The final report will be made available on the Defra flood management web pages in the next few months
3.0 Geomorphology/fluvial audit
The geo RHS surveys undertaken on the Laver and Kex Beck over the past couple of years have provided a useful base line against which to measure change in the channel and floodplain morphology.
The surveys provide useful information regarding the channel substrate and vegetation cover which was used in the Ripon sensitivity modelling mentioned above.
4.0 Links with Ripon flood alleviation scheme
There has been no further development with the Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme. The Regional Flood Defence Committee via its Local Levy fund has made some money available to help continue the Ripon MOP in the short term.
5.0 Environmental Stewardship
At the beginning of the Ripon MOP it was envisaged that Environmental Stewardship would have been an ideal vehicle for financing much of the potential changes required to bring about land use and management changes contributing to flood risk management.
Over the past couple of years there have been various problems with the implementation of Single Payment Scheme with some farmers not receiving their payments for many months after they were due. This had a knock on effect with a reluctance from some to enter Environmental Stewardship.
However the Ripon MOP and Rural Development Service team (now part of Natural England) have remained in contact and worked together in supporting applicants to Environmental Stewardship. Flood management is a secondary a objective in the Higher Level Scheme but benefits can be attained indirectly through some of the options for biodiversity and resource protection.
One of the legacies of the Ripon MOP will be a ‘vision’ of opportunities for change in the Laver/Skell catchment. Natural England will be able to use this in partnership with willing landowners to facilitate change.
6.0 Broad scale modelling
As mentioned previously, digital elevation modelling has been carried out using LiDAR along the rivers Laver and Skell and along Kex Beck. A further rain gauges have been installed at sites where there were rain gauges within the last thirty years. This will give some extra continuity with the original rainfall data for the catchment. Two water level recorders have been installed on the river Skell, one fairly high up the catchment and another near Fountains Abbey.
The validation of this data from this equipment will be undertaken using the Local Levy funding. In time, data retrieved from this network will inform Environment Agency flood risk managers as well as contribute to local Catchment Flood Management Plans when they are reviewed. Any lessons learned from the extensive monitoring coverage will be shared throughout the Environment Agency and beyond.
7.0 Future of the Ripon MOP
The Ripon MOP was originally scheduled to last two years. In 2006, the project officer’s contract was extended to continue work on the project until the end of the year. In January 2007 a stakeholder workshop was held to determine the future of the Ripon MOP. Various options were discussed in light of the changes that had taken place since the start of the project namely:
- The implementation of the government’s Making Space for Water strategy,
- A review of Defra Flood management Division resulting in a reduction in staff and a concentration on policy work, with delivery transferring to the Environment Agency,
- The formation of Natural England with many staff moving across from Defra Rural Development Service, English Nature and Countryside Agency.
As Defra was relinquishing its lead role in the Ripon project, options included its continuation as:
- a national pilot led by an alternative organisation,
- a catchment based project or
- a walk away option.
The general consensus of the stakeholders was that the project should continue, building on what has already been achieved. Financial support was offered by the Environment Agency and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to potentially fund a part-time project officer. It was also agreed that over the next few months a business plan will be drawn up for the next phase of the Ripon project. The lead role has now passed to the Environment Agency locally.
8.0 Other information
Previous progress reports and other information relating to the Ripon Multi-objective Project can be found on the Defra website
The Lessons Learned Report
and Final Project Report are now available to download.
Project Manager
July 2007
Page last modified: 28 August 2007
Page published: 28 August 2007