“Dramatic changes” to Exmoor river a “mind blowing” success

A pioneering river restoration on Exmoor is declared a success after producing many strikingly big benefits for people and nature in its first 12 months. Careful monitoring of the River Aller on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate in West Somerset has shown flood risks reduced and wildlife teeming. The project was part-funded by Somerset Rivers Authority. • Full ‘river reset’ and reconnection with the floodplain exceeds expectations as landscape put to the test with England’s wettest 18-month period since records began • Innovative approach is the first large-scale scheme using the ‘Stage 0’ approach in the UK, which was first pioneered in America • Scientists have documented impressive increases of nearly 1800 per cent in aquatic habitat including more than ten football pitches of new waterscapes and wetlands, and improvements to slowing the flow and water quality • Site has changed from a site of neat lines and short grass with little for wildlife to a ‘messy complex jumble of waterscapes’ • Nature boosted on site thanks to increase in wetland with a wide variety of water-loving creatures benefiting including water voles and water-fowl
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Somerset urged to prepare for floods

As part of Flood Action Week (14 - 20 October 2024), Somerset Rivers Authority is urging people across Somerset to ensure they are prepared for a flood. Flood Action Week is an annual awareness campaign run by the Environment Agency, a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).
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Out now: SRA Annual Report 2023-24

Here's the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Annual Report 2023-24. It covers hundreds of locations across Somerset, right down to individual streams, culverts, fields and streets. And it gives you details of many schemes and activities to reduce the risks and impacts of flooding in Somerset, and improve people's lives and the environment.
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Glastonbury’s climate plan targets flooding

Somerset's first Climate Adaptation Plan has been produced in Glastonbury, to help that historic town prepare for a new age of flooding, heatwaves and drought. The Plan is the result of months of collaboration between Somerset Wildlife Trust, Glastonbury Town Council, residents, business owners and other organisations. The development of the Plan has been funded by Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA). An 'Adaptation Blitz' is being planned for next year by Somerset Wildlife Trust to implement as many of the Plan's recommendations as possible.
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An aerial view of part of a double rainbow over Thorney and Muchelney surrounded by flood water in 2014.

Get tickets for talks about the future of water in Somerset

The Future of Water in Somerset is the main theme for a thought-provoking and enjoyable evening of talks and questions on Tuesday 14 May at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. The event's being organised by Somerset Rivers Authority with the South West Heritage Trust. It incudes access to a new show of photographs by the renowned Somerset-based photographer Matilda Temperley, reflecting on ten years since the devastating floods of 2013-14.
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Ten years since the 2014 floods: resilience and adaptation a key part of Somerset’s future

It's 10 years since the wettest winter for 250 years left large swathes of Somerset underwater for weeks, devastating communities, businesses and farming. Much flood defence and risk management work has since taken place, including many schemes funded or part-funded by Somerset Rivers Authority (launched in 2015). Across Somerset, the impacts of climate change mean that resilience and adaptation to flood risks will gradually need to play a bigger part in Somerset’s future.
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“Very wet”: Somerset Levels and Moors briefing 5 January 2024

Storm Henk and heavy rainfall since the New Year mean that river levels are rising and the Somerset moors are very wet. Currently river levels are too high to allow pumping. The Environment Agency will begin pumping as soon as there is enough room in the main river channels to receive the flood water. Looking ahead, the weekend is forecast to be generally dry, with clearer weather in the long-term forecast. But there is now a lot of water in river networks, which will take time to work its way through catchments.
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