Environment Agency turns to the Dutch to help drain Somerset Levels

On the Somerset Levels severe flood warnings remain in force at Saltmoor and Northmoor, including Moorland, and for the A361, East Lyng to Burrowbridge, as flooding continues. Further extremely high volume pumps have been delivered to the Somerset Levels from Holland to reduce water levels, bringing the total number of pumps deployed to 96. These additional pumps, will move water to other channels which will allow more water to be pumped away quicker. This means that at full capacity around 7.3 million tonnes of water will be pumped off the Levels every day – the equivalent of seven Wembley stadiums.

Extra #dutch pumps being installed in #somerset - workers in photo give sheer scale of them. Photo: Brian Bateman pic.twitter.com/dZNGTFKzDT
— John Curtin (@johncurtinEA) February 13, 2014

Communities in southern, south west and central England remain at risk of flooding, with further heavy rain expected to affect the country on Friday and into Saturday. Continued heavy rainfall means that flooding will remain for several days. Although water levels may fall throughout today, they are expected to rise again on the Thames and Severn, affecting places already experiencing flooding. Windsor, Maidenhead and communities along the Thames in Surrey remain at high risk of flooding from the River Thames today and Friday – with significant flooding of homes and businesses expected. The Thames has recorded some of its highest levels for 60 years.

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Comments

Peter Woolnough February 13, 2014 at 6:36pm

Following up from Phils post above, why dont we built something a bit like these Japanese G-cans to take water away from swollen rivers and dispose of it further down stream out of harms way.
As its all underground it wont spoil the enviroment, plus could be deplayed in the Thames valley, Colne Valley and the Somerset levels.
Not 100% factual as i am not a geologist, but i reckon it would be worth a go.
Scrub HS2 and spend the money on this system that the Japanese spent a mere 2 billion on and there's takes water from 5 feed rivers.

G-Cans: World’s Largest Flood-Prevention Complex