HOW IT WORKS |
Hydraulic Modelling
Starting from an existing hydraulic model in Flood Modeller representing the current hydraulic structure of the River Avon in Bath, a historical survey of how the river and its management has changed over time will be conducted. However, the accuracy and reliability of the flood flow estimates from the historical evidence is pottentially very much lower than the data obtained from modern monitoring stations and thus statistical tools will be used to investigate the reliability of the estimates.
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Historical Floods
1882The City of Bath was unprepared for the 1882 flood event, which is recorded as ‘the most disastrous flood that ever visited the district’ (The Bath Herald, 1882). The devastating nature of the flood is portrayed in the spatial expansion. The Mayor’s Relief Fund served to the provision of food supply and partial restoration of households.
➥In 1892, infrastructure measures for future flood defenses were proposed (e.g. river deepening, replacement of bridge, sluice gate installment, steel piling) but the £100,000 cost was deemed excessive. |
1894The floods of 1894 (13th and 15th November, two distinct floods in three days) are reported as ‘most serious and calamitous’ on record (The Bath Herald, 1894). The socio-economic impacts of the floods on the population triggered social response and an emergency committee was formulated and two separate relief funds were raised.
➥Following the catastrophic floods and their immediate relief , an engineering report was commissioned to G. Remington who suggested to build a tunnel to divert the floodwaters (£69,300 cost). |
1960The flood of 1960 was considered a catalyst event for the policy of the City of Bath. The event was smaller than previous historic floods but due to the development of the city, the economic impact was vast. Bath’s Flood Relief Fund was empty at the time so the Major Disaster Plan and a detailed plan for future emergencies were put in place.
➥In 1964, the Bath Flood Protection Scheme (1964-1974) was initiated with improvements including the deepening of the river bed, the removal of obstructions and the replacement of Old Bridge with Churchill Bridge. |