To better understand how effective different NFM measures could be in catchments of different sizes, and in a range of flood risk scenarios, we adopted a hybrid modelling approach which fused industry and academic modelling techniques.

As well as making use of peer-reviewed studies, our own measurements from a series of micro-catchments in Cumbria and observations of flood hydrographs, this approach also required our team to develop a faster-running version of Professor Keith Beven's rainfall-runoff model. The creation of this open source model meant that the flows of rainfall to streams could be predicted with much greater accuracy, whilst also being combined with existing models generated using HEC-RAS or JFlow® to demonstrate how water entering the streams would engage with floodplains.

The initial success of this hybrid approach allowed us determine the impact of a range of variables, and as a result extend its use to larger catchments including the 2,300km² Eden catchment, situated between the fells of the Lake District and the Pennines.

In addition to developing a range of technical scenarios, we were also able to assess the performance of different NFM measures against the backdrop of a changing climate. A key part of this research centred around the 'economics of resilience' in relation to expandable storage for floodplain re-connection. This allowed our team to determine the financial costs and benefits associated with creating and maintaining suitable areas of land, with the ultimate objective of helping to create a financially viable solution that helps to protect at risk communities from the effects of climate change.