Pioneering project uses nature to reduce flood risk in Weardale - Environment Agency

Flood protection: A pioneering Environment Agency-led natural flood management scheme to bolster flood protection of County Durham communities is complete.

The £2.1 million Weardale Natural Flood Management project has seen 25 features constructed in the stunning Upper Weardale landscape to reduce flood risk for communities.

The series of nature-based flood risk solutions includes storage basins, wooden leaky barriers and timber fences, all of which hold water back on the land during times of heavy rainfall.

They reduce flood risk across 41 square kilometres (16 square miles) to communities including Lanehead, Wearhead, Westgate and Stanhope.

The work explores reducing flood risk using natural flood management techniques to communities which have historically flooded due to water running from the surrounding hills.

The combined storage of all 25 features has the capacity to hold back approximately 10,000m3 of water, the equivalent of four Olympic sized swimming pools!

The project also includes 150 hectares of peatland restoration, bringing a habitat boost to wildlife.

The Environment Agency is working in partnership with Natural England, the North Pennines National Landscape team, Forestry Commission and Durham County Council with representation from the Wear Catchment Partnership, alongside local farmers and landowners.