A useful briefing prepared by local Environment Agency officers about the current situation with flood water on the Somerset Levels and Moors, following recent heavy rain. Includes background, current situation and outlook. "We, and our partners at the Somerset Rivers Authority, are well prepared should the weather get worse this winter."
Extra funding for three projects to reduce local flood risks has been approved by the Board of Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA). Members acted to ensure that maintenance dredging along the River Parrett, and works on culverts and other features in Rode and Beckington, could go ahead in the next few weeks and months.
A new section of the River Parrett is to be dredged for Somerset Rivers Authority, to reduce flood risks to local people, properties, roads and land. Large quantities of silt will be removed from 1.37miles (2.2km) of the river between Moorland and the M5, to increase its capacity to carry flood water.
Remains from the lost 16th century hamlet of Tappingweir were uncovered as part of dredging works carried out along the River Parrett. People there led humble lives in centuries gone by, with inferior pots from West and South Somerset.
Membranes have been fitted for Somerset Rivers Authority near 39 water control structures at Moorlinch and Westmoor on the Somerset Levels. The membranes will - temporarily - stop vegetation growing and deter water voles, so the structures can be improved later this summer.
A public consultation is being run until Saturday 3 August on proposals to dredge the River Parrett between Stathe and Burrowbridge. Dredging would increase the river's capacity to carry flood water, and so help the SRA to protect people and properties. Some environmental improvements are also planned.
A public consultation about proposals to dredge the River Parrett between Stathe and Burrowbridge continues until Saturday, 1 June. This dredge is important because it would supplement other dredges of the Parrett and Tone since 2014 and tie in with other projects, such as enhancing the River Sowy and King’s Sedgemoor Drain.
New techniques for dredging the River Parrett are tried out, as Somerset Rivers Authority seeks cheaper and better ways of maintaining tidal rivers.
A detailed briefing about new dredging of 750 metres of the River Parrett for Somerset Rivers Authority in 2016.
A fresh round of dredging on the River Parrett will begin next year (2016), after Somerset Rivers Authority agreed to target a stretch between Northmoor and the M5.