Walton Hall Nature Trail, Floods

Most rivers in Britain are now manipulated to control flooding of urban areas. There is often an integrated system of rainfall sensors and weather forecasts throughout the catchment linked to computer controlled weirs. After a period of very heavy rain the barriers are raised to store large volumes of water in ballancing lakes and on water meadows and other farmland. This protects towns from flooding. However things do not always go to plan and several years ago the residents of Bath awoke to find their river virtually 'switched off' leaving just an empty bed.
The potential for flash floods has increased over the years with the increase in drainage from large impermeable areas in cities and the straightening out and speeding up of flow in many lowland rivers.

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