“Maximising pumping”: Somerset Levels & Moors flood water briefing 11 January 2023
This is a briefing prepared on Wednesday 11 January by local Environment Agency officers about the current situation on the Somerset Levels and Moors, following recent heavy rain and a wet weather warning being issued for Thursday 12 January. It describes activities being carried out by the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency is a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority, along with Somerset County Council (which includes Somerset Highways), the four district councils, the Parrett and Axe Brue Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England, and the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
“We are maximising pumping when river levels and tides allow.”
“Pumping that we undertook over the last 24 hours stopped Currymoor from filling up and prevented Athelney spillway from running.”
Pictured at the top of this page: Currymoor Pumping Station. Photo courtesy of the Environment Agency.
Download PDF of briefing: Environment Agency update briefing on Somerset Levels and Moors 11 January 2023
Background
The Somerset Levels & Moors are designed to store flood water when the rivers flowing through them overtop. The recent heavy rain has caused spillways (specifically designed low-points in the riverbanks) on the Rivers Tone and Parrett to flow and there is now water stored on the moors.
Flood alerts and a warning for Currymoor remain in place.
Current Situation
The Parrett and Tone catchments have responded as expected following the recent rainfall.
We [the Environment Agency] are maximising pumping when river levels and tides allow.
Hook Bridge, Allermoor and Beasley’s spillways have been running when the river channels are full; pumps have operated intermittently as they only pump when there is capacity in the rivers.
We are monitoring the situation and following our operational procedures. Our teams are out checking our flood defences and clearing debris screens and other assets to ensure correct operation.
Currymoor, one of the largest flood storage areas on the Somerset Levels and Moors, is over 90% full. Pumping that we undertook over the last 24 hours, stopped it from filling up and prevented Athelney spillway from running. It can be pumped out in about 14 days with low enough river levels. It can store 17 million cubic metres of water safely.
Currymoor spills over into Northmoor and Saltmoor via Altheney spillway and Lyng Cutting. Northmoor and Saltmoor are currently empty. If the Athelney Spillway and Lyng Cutting start running and water flowing in exceeds the capacity of the drainage pumps, these moors will begin to fill.
The A361 is at risk of flooding when these moors begin to fill. Closure decisions focus on the safety of road users. For more information: Emergency road closure gates – Travel Somerset
Our current predictions indicate that these moors are unlikely to begin filling imminently.
We will notify Somerset Highways if this changes. They will take the decision about closing the A361, tonight it has been re-opened.
Outlook
The 5 day forecast includes a wet weather warning for this region. Longer range forecasts are less reliable.
Our trigger points plan sets out when we deploy mobile pumps.
We are taking action as the trigger has been met for Northmoor and Saltmoor pumping stations. The actions include mobilising additional pumps for these locations giving us additional capability to pump out these moors. We are also taking pre-emptive action at Currymoor pumping station and Dunball tidal doors.
The Somerset Levels and Moors are designed to store floodwater. However, the £80 million of investment since 2014 in flood risk interventions is helping us better manage the flooding. It allows us to take pre-emptive action to delay the onset of flooding and to evacuate the waters more effectively. Together this enables communities to be more resilient and to recover more rapidly from flooding.
Phone numbers for contacting the Environment Agency
Customer service line: 03706 506 506
Floodline: 03459 88 11 88
Incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60