Magnitude of flood mitigation benefits resulting from tree planting and other measures in Wasdale Beck Catchment (River Lune headwaters)

Jul to Sep 2017 (Phase 1)

To quantify the likely magnitude of flood risk reduction produced by a tree planting scenarios in Wasdale recommended by the Woodland Trust. Included in the assessment is quantification of additional flood attenuation value arising from interventions on peatlands and adding a series of small semi-permeable dams on the tributary streams. Assessment is based on a novel implementation of JBA's JFLOW model to simulate the effects on the 'infitration-excess overland flow' component of flood flows (1-in-30 year design event) in Wasdale and further downstream on Birk Beck.

Funding sources

Woodland Trust Uplands Planting Research Programme (EAA7518)

Investigators

Nick Chappell (Overall PI), Barry Hankin and Sally Bielby (JBA Consulting).

Project Publications

Chappell, N.A., Hankin, B., Bielby, S., and Tych, W. 2017. Quantifying flood mitigation benefits of tree planting and related interventions in Wasdale. Technical report EAA7518/2. Woodland Trust Uplands Planting Research Programme. Lancaster University, Lancaster (UK). view report (pdf).

Mawdsley, T., Chappell, N.A. and Swallow, E. 2017. Hydrological change on Tebay Common following fencing and tree planting: A preliminary dataset. Report in support of the Woodland Trust Upland Planting Research Programme. Lancaster University, Lancaster (UK). view report (pdf).

**NEWS** 20 Sep 2023: Wasdale restoration begins. see news.