Natural Flood Management

Natural Flood Management (NFM) reduces flood risk by restoring the natural function of rivers, floodplains, and catchments. Smart Flood Risk Management enhances this by combining natural processes with real‑time technology to control water flow, limit peak flooding, and protect communities sustainably.

Waterco Datrys

Smart Flood Risk Management

We combine natural flood management techniques with real-time control technology to manage catchment flow and reduce flood risk.

By harnessing live rainfall and flow data, automated systems activate reservoirs or diversion channels only when required. This ensures water is managed efficiently, delivering sustainable and cost-effective protection.

Our expertise spans catchment‑scale, flood risk assessment, the design of wetlands, swales, leaky dams, and floodplain reconnection, as well as habitat and ecological evaluation.

Project Initiation

Feasibility studies and strategic planning.

GIS Mapping

Catchment analysis and flood pathway identification.

Hydraulic Modelling

MIKE 21 and MIKESHE simulations for flow prediction.

Ecology and Landscape Advice

Integrating environmental enhancements with flood resilience.

Waterco Datrys

NFM Assessment

Our NFM Assessment and Design service identifies catchment-scale opportunities for effective Natural Flood Management and Nature-Based Solutions.

We analyse hydrology, flow pathways, and flood risk to inform the design of wetlands, swales, leaky barriers, and floodplain reconnection. Combining robust modelling with ecological insight, we create practical, sustainable solutions that enhance natural processes and deliver long-term flood risk reduction.

Our services deliver sustainable, cost-effective flood risk reduction while enhancing biodiversity.

Identification of opportunities for NFM/NbS interventions

Conceptual and detailed design of NFM measures

Working with landowners, local authorities, and communities to plan, implement, and maintain NFM/NbS schemes

Advice on grants, environmental permits, planning approvals, and alignment with national NFM/NbS strategies.

Monitoring

We deliver integrated Natural Flood Management and Nature-Based Solutions that enhance catchment resilience and biodiversity.

Our services include water quality assessment and flow monitoring to understand baseline conditions, inform targeted interventions, and support sustainable flood risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and long-term environmental improvement across rural and urban catchments.

Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater monitoring assesses changes to subsurface storage, flow pathways and floodplain connectivity.

Channel Water Flow Monitoring

Channel monitoring evaluates flood attenuation, peak flow reduction and flow timing effects.

Water Quality Monitoring

Water quality monitoring assesses co-benefits and potential adverse effects.

Data Integration and Reporting

Monitoring outputs are typically integrated into adaptive management frameworks, supporting scheme refinement, regulatory reporting, and evidence-based evaluation of NFM effectiveness over time.

Our Work

Case Studies

Natural Flood Management Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Lead Local Flood Authorities have you worked with?

With over 20 years’ experience, we’ve partnered with Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) across the UK to secure funding, investigate flood events, develop drainage strategies, and reduce flood risk under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Our experience includes work with Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council, St. Helens Council, Cheshire Council, Gwynedd Council and Derbyshire Council.