Flood Management
Flood defence is a major issue in the Broads. The Environment Agency has predicted that if no steps are taken towards flood alleviation then there will be increased tidal flooding with up to 60 per cent of the land in the Broads currently defended becoming permanently flooded. Apart from the danger to lives and property, the Broads landscape and ecology would alter beyond recognition.
The Broads flood plain is at risk from two types of flooding; tidal flooding caused by high sea levels and fluvial flooding caused by high river flows. Surge tides can cause saline flooding of land by breaching or going over flood banks. Saline intrusion also occurs in surge conditions as more salt water forces upstream, between the banks. This can damage the ecology of normally freshwater reaches.
Fluvial flooding, caused by heavy rainfall is less damaging from an agricultural and conservation perspective although flooding of any kind can damage property. The Environment Agency has drawn up a Flood Alleviation Strategy for the Broads with various options, including tide-excluding barriers, bank strengthening and use of washlands. As bodies responsible for land drainage, the Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) and local authorities would be engaged in operating any flood defence scheme, in cooperation with the Environment Agency.
