Natural Flood Management

Overview

Natural Flood Management (NFM) works with natural processes to slow, store and filter water across the landscape, helping to reduce flood risk for communities downstream while restoring healthier rivers and landscapes.  

Instead of relying only on hard engineering such as walls and barriers, natural flood management focuses on restoring the natural features of rivers, floodplains and catchments so that water can move more slowly through the environment.  

By working with landowners, communities and partners across the catchment, we deliver nature-based solutions that protect people, improve river health and increase resilience to climate change.

Why Natural Flood Management matters

Flooding is becoming more frequent and intense as the climate changes. Managing water across entire catchments is essential to help communities adapt. 

Natural Flood Management helps to: 

• Slow the flow of water during heavy rainfall

• Reduce the risk of flash flooding downstream

• Store water in soils, wetlands and floodplains

• Improve water quality and reduce pollution

• Restore habitats and boost biodiversity

• Increase resilience to both floods and drought

These nature-based approaches also provide wider environmental benefits, including carbon storage, healthier soils and better spaces for people and wildlife.  

How Natural Flood Management works

Natural Flood Management uses a range of techniques that restore or mimic natural processes within a catchment.

Slowing the flow

Simple structures or natural features can slow the movement of water through the landscape.

Examples include:

• Leaky woody dams that mimic naturally fallen trees and gently hold back water

• River restoration and re-meandering to reconnect rivers with their floodplains

• Large woody material in rivers that helps create natural variation in flow

These approaches help reduce the speed at which rainfall reaches rivers during storms.

Storing water across the landscape

Creating places for water to temporarily collect during heavy rainfall can reduce pressure on rivers.

Examples include:

• Wetlands and floodplain storage areas

• Ponds and scrapes that fill during storms

• Floodplain reconnection

Wetlands and floodplains can hold large volumes of water and release it slowly over time.

Managing land to reduce runoff

How land is managed across a catchment has a big influence on how quickly water reaches rivers. 

Working with farmers and land managers, natural flood management can include: 

• Tree and hedgerow planting

• Buffer strips alongside rivers

• Healthy soils that absorb more water

• Sustainable drainage and rain gardens in urban areas

Vegetation intercepts rainfall, improves soil structure and helps water soak into the ground rather than running straight into rivers.  

Benefits for rivers, wildlife and communities

Natural Flood Management delivers multiple benefits beyond reducing flood risk. 

These include: 

• Healthier rivers and improved water quality 

• New habitats for wildlife 

• Increased biodiversity across the landscape 

• Carbon storage and climate resilience 

• Improved wellbeing and access to nature for communities 

By restoring natural river processes and working with the wider catchment, these approaches help create landscapes that are more resilient to climate change and extreme weather.  

Working together across the catchment

Natural Flood Management works best when it is delivered across entire river catchments. 

We work closely with: 

• Farmers and landowners 

• Local authorities 

• Communities and volunteers 

• Businesses and water companies 

• Environmental organisations and regulators 

Together we identify where nature-based solutions will have the greatest impact and deliver projects that protect communities while restoring the natural environment.