• 'Main Rivers' designated in past (DEFRA)
• Main River shown on map
• Environment Agency have powers
• Riparian Owner can also do work and have responsibilites

• All other watercourses
• Local Authorities have powers to enforce and improve
• Riparian Owner has responsibility to maintain
• Small rivers can cause big problems

  Photo: Whiteley 8th May 2000

• Could be road or surface water drainage system
• Highway Authority - drain road
• Water company may maintain surface water sewers
• Many private surface water systems
• Summer thunderstorms can cause problems

  Photo: Andover July 1999

• Slow to come and go
• Often 'building' problem
• Owner has main chance to alleviate
• EA supervisory, Flood Warning

• Generally Water Company
• Quick - contaminated water
• infiltration by ground water can overload the system
• Improvements need investment agreed by OFWAT
• Some private sewerage systems

• Sir Michael Pitt is leading a review of last summer's events for the Government
• Environment Agency take the lead strategic role on urban flooding with Local Authorities etc.
• Critical infrastructure owners need to protect assets from flooding
• Improved monitoring and mapping in particular areas at high risk of surface water flooding
• Long term strategy for investment taking account of Climate Change

• Number of channels passing through and around the town
• Originally for milling and other industrial purposes
• Fish Farms main uses of water

  Photo:
  Schematic of Romsey's Watercourses

• Approx 1300 properties at flood risk in Zone 3
• Botley Road, Eight Acres and Jenner Way from Tadburn Lake
• Plaza and Winchester Road from confluence of Tadburn and Barge Canal
• Fishlake stream is perched north of Romsey, affecting Greatbridge Road, Budds Lane Industirla Estate and Cherville Street
• Abbey Mill Stream and Park Stream
• Middlebridge and Sadler's Mill and fields to west of Romsey from main Test

• Highest risk is from Tadburn Lake
• Clay catchment produces fast responding runoff
• Extensive flooding in Plaza and The Hundred in 1960 and 1974 also 1990 and 1993
• 1960 flood estimated 1 in 10/12 year return period
• Improved concrete-lined channel constructed in 1960s to reduce the risk between Southampton Road and Symes Road
• 1990s flooding return period estimated as 1 in 4/8
• 1999 Christmas Eve flooding from Tadburn affecting Eight Acres, Seward's Rise and Jenner Way (estimated 1 in 20 year return)

1. Man-made carriers of the River Test
2. Fishlake stream is vulnerable to over-topping or breach
3. Flow control from sluice structure at Greatbridge
4. Standard of Protection 1 in 50 year, but limited flow capacity through town
5. Oxlease Drain takes overflow from the Canal to River Test
• Passes under Fishlake Stream in a Syphon
• Fishlake Drain at lower level than Fishlake Stream
• Meadows can be pumped (Said to have been a tree nursery run by Hillier & Sons)

• River Test - main channel to the west of town, agricultural fields frequent flooding (below 1 in 5/25 year return)
• Weedboom at Timsbury to catch cut weed during the fishing season - reduces risk of blocking culverts
• Various alterations to improve headwaters for mills such as Sadler's Mill
• 700m Embankment upstream of Sadler's Mill
• Flooding in 2000 around Rivermead Close and Riverside Gardens

• Main Test flooding
• No flooding from Tadburn
• Very high groundwater in upper catchment
• Fishlake Stream and Park Stream causing flooding