Often in permaculture design, we encounter issues with water. In many areas and on many specific sites, a shortage of water is the challenge. But on occasion, we may find that the challenge we need to address is not too little water, but too much. In some regions, we are not faced with increasing drought but rather warmer and wetter conditions – and that can bring the risk of floods.
Understanding and Adapting to Increased Flood Risk
Flooding has been a major issue in parts of Scotland in recent years, and many areas have been experiencing extreme weather events far more frequently than ever before. The property in this case study is one that has come under threat, as ageing field drainage systems falter under unprecedented rainfall, causing flooding which threatens the home itself and on the road, cutting the property off from the rest of the road network.
The property sits close to the bottom of a south west facing hill slope, which catches the prevailing wind and rain. Overgrazed fields of different properties to the north, at higher elevations, do nothing to catch water, which flows into over-worked and ancient field drainage systems to the north east side of the property, and flows down through these old land drains across the site to the south west.
Currently, the steeply sloping pasture to the north of the home is rough tussock grass, extremely wet, and there is frequently a large area of standing water over the bottom section of this area, which can also spill into the garden adjacent the home, and onto the road.
Tackling Flooding Issues With Permaculture Design
This plan seeks to address flooding issues not only for this property but for others living in the hamlet to the south east by first of all, repairing and re-routing existing land drains to divert water to a large new pond and adjacent wetland zone. This portion of rewilding will also bring other benefits to wildlife etc. beyond just water management wins. A bund will also be constructed to protect the home and avoid runoff to the road adjacent to the property.
In addition, on the sloping pasture, on contour forest garden tree rows, coppice systems of alder, willow and hazel, and vegetated swales, will help to reduce pressure downhill and allow for greater water infiltration on the slope while also moving excess water gently towards the pond and wetland when rainfall is high.
If you are concerned about flooding on your property, or need some assistance with a water management strategy that takes account of the changes and challenges we are facing, please do get in touch to discuss how I may be able to help.
EWSP Consultancy 