We asked the Environment Agency about flooding in Nottingham - here’s what they said

The Environment Agency has explained what steps are being taken to prevent flooding in Nottingham after the River Trent burst its banks last week. 

Water levels in the river came close to reaching their highest since 2000 during the first week of January due to heavy rain from Storm Henk. 

Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident after roads and homes became flooded. 

Read more: Nottingham weather

Although water levels have now started to subside, there are concerns that Nottingham’s flooding issues will only get worse. 

Experts believe that climate change will cause more intense rainfall in years to come, leading to worse flooding. 

The Environment Agency is responsible for managing the flood risk from Nottingham’s largest watercourses, such as the River Trent, River Leen and Day Brook. 

One method the Environment Agency uses to reduce the risk of river flooding is dredging. 

Dredging involves removing an accumulation of silt material from the bottom of a river, such as fine gravels or soils that have been washed into rivers from surrounding land.

Over recent decades, dredging has decreased in the UK due to environmental concerns and cost levels. 

Does dredging take place in Nottingham? 

The answer to this is yes, but not to the levels that you might think. We asked the Environment Agency how big a role dredging could play in protecting Nottingham from future flooding

A spokesperson told Nottingham World: “Dredging is an important part of our maintenance programme. We consider each location carefully and do it where we know it will make a difference. 

“Understanding where dredging will – and won’t – reduce flood risk is key. We must be sure it will reduce flood risk to local homes and businesses and won’t increase flood risk downstream. 

“We do not dredge the watercourses in and around Nottingham as a matter of course but we routinely inspect specific areas to assess silt build up, and if required for flood risk management, desilting activities will be undertaken. For example, siltation is assessed annually at the canal syphon on the River Leen in Lenton, as this is a known location where silt can build up.

“We also routinely undertake inspections along these watercourses to ensure flood defences are ready to operate when needed. Other maintenance activity carried out includes vegetation management to maintain the flow of water.

“In many cases, dredging isn’t the best long-term solution to flood risk management because rivers can quickly silt-up again and other measures such as building walls or storage upstream may be more effective.”

Further information on the Environment Agency’s flood prevention work in Nottingham can be found here.