This year saw the flood warning workstream develop and trial the first publicly available automated groundwater flood warning service.
2024
Groundwater flood warning service trial began
In December 2024, we began public trials of what we believe is the first publicly available automated flood warning service, specifically focussed on groundwater flooding in The Chalk.
The warning service trial enables people in seven Project Groundwater communities to sign up and access an online, all in one, dashboard of information and advice about flooding, providing a complete picture of flood risk.
Key features of the service, which can be accessed by phone or computer, are:
- live feeds of groundwater levels relevant to each community
- forecasts of how groundwater levels could vary over the next month
- hazard maps linked to the current and forecast levels
- flood alerts and warnings sent to registered users based on groundwater levels
- suggested actions which individuals and communities can take in response to the evolving risk.
Our flood warning service trial launched in 2024
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Groundwater hazard maps produced to match groundwater level rises
This year, we updated our groundwater hazard maps for use in the trial flood warning service.
Based on the original Groundwater Emergence Maps (GEMs) produced for DEFRA, our maps have been fully updated using new groundwater level data and techniques to provide continuous mapping across the Project Groundwater area (Chalk and Permeable Superficial Deposits).
The updated maps show where groundwater could be near the ground surface or where groundwater is likely to be flowing overground. They have been produced at increments of groundwater level that can be displayed according to current and forecast levels in the flood warning service and are well suited to fast display in its mobile app.
Our groundwater level forecasts for key boreholes are skilful
Our borehole forecast models demonstrated a good level of skill based on their application to past events. The forecasts were updated daily throughout 2024, based on most recent monitored groundwater levels and medium-range weather forecasts, and started being automatically fed into the flood warning service.
Environment Agency seal of approval
With approval for the trial warning service from the Environment Agency, we can complement their ongoing messaging about high groundwater levels to professional partners and their existing flood alerts sent through their operational flood warning service. This is important for the future sustainability of the Project Groundwater service, if it proves effective and is rolled out to other chalk areas and/or adopted by the Environment Agency.
Groundwater flooding can be devastating
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2025
Refining the flood warning service based on feedback
Winter 2024/5 sees the first public trial of the flood warning service. We will be collecting feedback throughout the trial, which will be used to improve and refine the service. This will include engaging with communities directly through our existing networks and groups.
Improving the groundwater level forecasts
In the trial version of the flood warning service, only basic information from the forecasts is provided. As the service is refined, we anticipate adding in more boreholes and providing users with more detail on the certainty around the forecasts.
Refining the community actions prompted by the app
When flood alerts or warnings are issued by the flood warning service, users are prompted for what actions communities and individuals can take to manage the evolving risk. We are currently working with the EA and communities to understand how specific actions could be agreed with each community and provide consistency across the Project Groundwater and EA warnings and advice.
Find out more about Project Groundwater
