Exploring Flood Risk and Natural Flood Management Responses

Description

The river Irwell catchment rises in the Pennine uplands to the north of Greater Manchester and flows through the city centre and into the river Mersey. Spatial patterns of development vary significantly across the Irwell catchment from sparsely populated upland areas dominated by open landscapes used for farming and recreation, mixed land use peri-urban landscapes and the urban centres of Rochdale, Salford and Manchester. Flooding and flood risk management, concerning current flood hazards and also in the context of projected climate change induced increases in flood risk, are key concerns in the Irwell catchment given the risks posed to communities, livelihoods and critical infrastructure. Indeed, recent flood events associated with Storm Eva (in December 2015) have further focused attention on this risk.