At JBA we strive to support the wider community of current and future water and environmental scientists. Our Flood Foresight team recently hosted undergraduate work placement student Erin Rogers, who is studying Geography at the University of Birmingham.
In this blog, Erin shares her experience of working within the Flood Foresight team and some of the skills she developed during her time with us.
For the last few months, as part of a professional placement module in my final year at university, I have been lucky enough to spend one day per week working from the JBA Coleshill office as part of the Flood Foresight team.
The overall aim of the validation project I was tasked with undertaking was to investigate and determine the extent to which the Flood Foresight software effectively predicts the scale of flood events, such as Storm Christoph in January 2021, by comparing its outputs to other satellite imagery sources. Although I had no previous experience in using the software and resources required for this project – i.e. Q-GIS and Sentinel satellite imagery – thanks to input from the Flood Foresight team, I picked up the required skills fairly quickly and was able to produce maps such as the example shown. Comparing and mapping this, in conjunction with many other images, then enabled me to understand the prediction capabilities of Flood Foresight in relation to observed flood extents.
Imagery source: Sentinel-1, European Space Agency / Copernicus.
Above figure – Map produced in QGIS using satellite imagery over one of the chosen case study locations – Sutton, Hull – for 22nd January 2021. The image shows a comparison of Flood Foresight’s predictions (red) and satellite imagery from Sentinel Hub (light blue).
After finishing my placement, I remotely delivered a final presentation to the Flood Foresight team to provide an overview of my experience and reflect upon the conclusions I had arrived at. Working on this project has allowed me to not only develop professional and technical skills such as working as part of a large team, and using the new mapping software but has also provided me with experience of working in an office environment for the first time – something which I enjoyed and looked forward to each week.
Overall, this has been a very rewarding experience and has made me interested in potentially pursuing a career in the consultancy sector. Despite only meeting the majority of the team virtually, they were all very welcoming and friendly and I’d like to thank them all for their help.
Flood Foresight is a unique flood monitoring and forecasting system. It provides near real-time and forecast rainfall and flood data to users needing a reliable source of information to understand potential flood impacts. Based on best-available river telemetry and modelling approaches, combined with state-of-the-art, high-resolution flood maps, Flood Foresight provides reliable predictive analytics on flood impacts before, during and after flood events. Contact John Bevington for more information about Flood Foresight, or visit our webpage where you can download an Executive Summary.
Ancient trees are recognized as irreplaceable assets that are vital to wildlife as well as our own sense of identity.
As trees reach the later parts of their age span and beyond, their management and safety require more specialised guidance. Our team are experienced in managing aging tree populations and their varying conditions and unique requirements. We can offer guidance on their management, to ensure where possible that the trees to continue to provide their benefits as historical landscape features as well as the benefits to wildlife for many years to come.
Trees & the Law
There are extensive laws which control the trees and woodlands to ensure their safe retention and protection.
With wide-ranging experience in this field and extensive academic knowledge, we are able to provide advice across a wide array of tree subjects, whether it is advice on planning appeals, felling licences, hedgerow mediation, or TPO tree work applications we are able to advise and assist.
Trees & Development
Developing near trees? Too often trees have been seen instead as barrier to development, we take the approach that planning should take place with the presence and the benefits of trees as a given.
Their assessment and the identification of their value to the site and the wider locale is also important when considering their retention potential, and the protection requirements (throughout development). Working cooperatively with you, allows us to in successfully consider trees in the planning and design process and can often be critical to a successful outcome of planning decisions.
We can be called upon to help with anything from a simple desktop assessment and general advice to a full suite of Impact Assessment and Method Statements, on-site supervision, Landscape design & planting, and also aid in finding technical solutions to more advanced schemes.
Tree & Woodland Management
From recommendations on tree planting, management and condition surveying, to landscape restoration and managing vegetation on both large and small-scale projects, our dynamic advisory services cover every aspect for individual tree and woodland management and are delivered to the highest of modern industry standards.
Planning & Landscape Conditions
When Planning Permission is granted, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) often require additional information is submitted as a Planning Condition. We can aid in the successful meeting and discharge of conditions linked to tree protection and retention.
Working with our in-house landscape architects, we can also offer tailored tree planting and landscape schemes, and offer design and advice to not only improve your sites landscape and function, but also aid in its establishment.
Visual Tree Assessments & Tree Risk Management
Tree owners have a legal ‘duty of care’ to take reasonable steps to ensure the safe condition of their trees. Whether it is a singular tree or a whole estate, we can efficiently assess by Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) the condition of the trees.
These assessments provide clear information on the general condition of the tree, its health and vitality. This enables us to advise you with current and potential future works to help maintain or improve the condition of trees and their relative safety in a controlled and structured approach, which will aid in reducing your long term expenditure and improving the benefits of the trees.
Gauging station evaluation, relocation and design
We have significant expertise in designing and installing flow gauging stations, including modifications of existing gauging stations to facilitate fish passage (e.g. through retrofitting of baffles or adding a Larinier fish pass in compound with an existing gauging weir). We can advise on siting, choice of method/feasibility and design. We have also excellent working relationship with NIVUS GmbH, with whom we have worked closely in designing new transit time ultrasonic stations.
Strategic studies and network reviews
We have an impressive track record in relation to delivering strategic hydrometric studies:
From January 2007 to September 2010, we carried out an extensive national review of the hydrometric network in England and Wales on behalf of the Environment Agency. The work was undertaken in two phases: i) River Gauging Network, ii) Rainfall Gauging Network. As well as a comprehensive review of the existing network and assessment of requirements to meet future initiatives, software tools for and guidance on network management were developed.[1]
From September 2008 to June 2010 we carried out a strategic review of Hydro-Meteorological Monitoring networks operated by the Office of Public Works in Ireland. This involved the identification of the long-term strategic needs for flood-related hydrometric and meteorological data in Ireland, including strategic management requirements for effective data collection and provision of flood related information.
In 2012 we carried out a detailed review of the Hydrometric Network in Yorkshire and North East, whilst involved a review of drivers of the flow and level gauging network, quantification of benefits derived from the network and outline of possible network improvements, specification of gaps and redundancy in existing network and prioritisation for network improvements based on operational requirements.
In 2015 we delivered a detailed review of the hydrometric network operated by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland. This included a detailed comparison of the hydrometric network in Ireland with those in Scotland, Wales and New Zealand.
We are currently (2018) helping Waterways Ireland to undertake an evaluation of their monitoring network.
[1] See Davis, R., Zaidman, M., Grew, R. & Garrett, K. 2010. Evaluating the benefits of the hydrometric network in England and Wales. Proceedings of the British Hydrological Society Conference, Newcastle University, July 2010.
Hydrometric data validation and review
All the data we collect and supply undergoes strict validation and data assurance processes before use/issue. We are also able to undertake independent validation or checks of third party data; a recent example being an independent review of the quality of hydrometric data collected by the Tweed Forum as part of their Eddleston Water Project.
Our team has been widely involved in defining procedures for data management and assessment of data quality, of which some of the higher-profile projects have included:
Development of Operational Instruction outlining how the HiFlows-UK flood peak database should be managed, and implementation of improvement measures including rating updates and evaluation (Environment Agency, 2014).
Reviews of the performance of the EA’s Tipping Bucket raingauge network, which included comparing accumulated rainfall from TBRs and their collocated storage raingauges and identifying reasons for any discrepancies in terms of calibration, site maintenance, under catch due to exposure, evaporation etc.
Development of a tipping bucket raingauge calibration procedure for the OPW.
Spot gauging service and rating curve development
We offer a spot gauging service using our own Valeport Model 801 Electromagnetic Open Channel Flow Meter, which we operate in accordance with BS EN ISO 748:2007 and which undergoes calibration every three years by the manufacturer. Recognising those situations where specialist equipment is needed we also have expertise with hired instrumentation including OTT’s QLiner, Sontek’s RiverSurveyor and FlowTracker devices and RD’s Stream Pro ADCP.
We have carried out flow gauging for Natural Resources Wales, Essex and Suffolk Water, National Trust and Irwell Rivers Trust, Aire Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency as well as private clients (e.g. in support of hydropower assessments, abstraction licence applications, internal drainage boards/water level management plans).
Our team is highly experienced in the development of new, and in the reviewing of existing Stage-Discharge and Velocity-Index ratings. We use our innovative in-house applications to aid hydrometric data review and analysis. To date we have derived over 100 new stage-discharge ratings on behalf of the Environment Agency. We also run training courses on the topic of extrapolation of high flow ratings and use of modelling to extend high flow rating limbs.
Training and support
We are expert trainers in hydrology (our team runs the foundation and advanced level training courses offered within the Environment Agency). We offer a range off-the-shelf courses covering theoretical and practical aspects of hydrological analysis but are equally able to provide tailored training based on real case studies and practical examples.
Validation of historical data during drought periods and time series extension to cover historical droughts
Provision of expert advice on drought frequency analysis and modelling
Drought index calculation, regionally or on a site-specific basis
Low flow frequency analysis and interpretation
Accounting for future climate change impacts on the likely frequency and duration of low flow and drought events
Flow naturalisation and abstraction management
Estimation of natural flows by decomposition or other techniques; characterisation of the impact of artificial influences on catchment flow and the production of residual flow diagrams.
Conceptualisation of the impact of artificial influences for Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments.
Detailed modelling for specific abstractions (river and groundwater).
Behavioural modelling of reservoir systems.
Flow estimation and analysis
Developing time series of flow at a suitable timestep using rainfall runoff models or mass balance methods to inform water resources, water quality and catchment flow studies.
Validation and verification of flow estimates using hydrometric and catchment information to give confidence that you are using the best information for your investigation.
Estimation of point flow statistics and flow duration curves using best practice methods and/or Low Flows software.
Our industry experience
Experience of preparing 12 Water Cycle Studies since 2013, including several combined Water Cycle Study and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments
Open and easy to do business with, with a strong focus on innovation and customer service
We use a team of expert technical leads to provide oversight of the assessments of water infrastructure, water resources and water quality modelling
National coverage from 20 offices in the UK and Ireland.
Improving the management of water
Whilst the primary responsibility for delivering water and wastewater services lies with the water companies, Local Planning Authorities can use the planning system to promote solutions which contribute to improving the management of water and provide other benefits, including:
Catchment Based Approaches and nutrient trading schemes to manage diffuse pollution
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) on new-builds and retrofit, including surface water disconnection for combined sewers to create capacity for development
Rainwater harvesting to reduce water demand in water-stressed areas.
Services we offer
Assess the present day and future capacity of the water resources, water supply, wastewater collection and treatment facilities
Identify how increase effluent discharges can be treated without causing detriment or preventing the receiving waster from achieving GES
identifying the responsibilities and timescales for implementing strategic infrastructure upgrades
Providing the evidence base for Local Plan policies on water efficiency, SuDS etc
Climate change analysis and adaptation.
Sustainability investigations
Investigation of impact of Habitats Directive and Water Framework sustainability reductions on water available for supply.
Aquator modelling to inform the impact of abstraction regimes on environmental indicators (e.g. lake water level, downstream river flow) and alternative water sources to support environmental impact assessments.
Assessment of the impact of sustainability reductions
Assessment and scenario modelling of water transfers (intra and intercompany).
Demand modelling and efficiency measures
Modelling of water demand under different scenarios including drought.
Quantification of the impact of drought measures on demand.
Drought planning and management
Development and review of drought triggers
Support for drought permit applications
Historic drought event characterisation
Drought frequency analysis and levels of service
Comparison of historic and extreme.
Climate change
Derivation of climate change inflow datasets for water resources models
Assessment of climate change impacts on available supply
Application of stochastic methods for climate change modelling.
Water resources modelling
Aquator model build and development
Application of Hysim, Mike BASIN, WRAPsim and iThink models
Deployable output assessment for water resource management plans
Investigating the deployable output benefits and utilisation of new sources.
Assessing impacts of flood risk management activity (for example flood drawdown proposals) on water available for supply.
