Flood protection schemes

We worked with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and the Environment Agency to develop a flood defence scheme for the Lower Don Valley (LDV). The LDV is a critical economic area for Sheffield, second only to the city centre, and was devastated during the floods in 2007.

The £21 million scheme improved defences along an 8km stretch of the River Don between the Wicker in the city centre and the M1 near Meadowhall. 

Construction of defences was completed in January 2018.
 

Following appraisal work completed in 2015 we are currently progressing three smaller schemes to reduce flood risk in key locations. These include the following which are now under development:

Whitley Brook Flood Reduction Scheme

Aimed to focus on potential watercourse channel and culvert improvements within the catchment. 

Blackburn Brook Blockage reduction Scheme 

Intended to strategically improve debris screening and management upstream of key flood risk locations.

Ecclesfield Park Watercourse Restoration 

To improve and naturalise the existing park watercourse whilst reducing flood risk and enhancing natural habitat and biodiversity.

We will be investigating further opportunities for flood risk reduction to the wider catchment area in our future programme beyond 2026.

We are carrying out works to mitigate the flood risk associated with a blocked and damaged culvert on the Clough Dike Watercourse in Deepcar. The Culvert, which sits partly in Sheffield City Council land, caused significant flooding in 2019 and has since required emergency measures to remain in place to recurrence. 

Funding of over £1 million from the Environment Agency is now secured and works to repair or reline the culvert will be carried out in 2025.

Our network of underground streams plays an important role in draining the city, but it is ageing and in places is in poor condition. We have invested over £3 million to renew and strengthen nine priority culverts so that they remain in good condition for the next 70 years.

The scheme was completed in 2020.

In partnership with Yorkshire Water, we are delivering an innovative, integrated approach to managing stormwater and reducing flood risk in Sheffield. This project developed a detailed model of the complex interactions between the Car Brook, Kirkbridge Dyke and Jervis Lumb watercourse systems and the city’s sewer network. The modelling improved our understanding of how blockages impact the system and led to targeted investment in culvert upgrades.

In the Manor and Arbourthorne districts, we piloted sustainable drainage solutions, including the construction of wetland detention basins in local parklands – which is considered a more sustainable alternative to traditional underground tanks. The basins collect and temporarily store rainwater, facilitating housing regeneration and reducing the risk of downstream flooding in the Don valley.

Beyond flood protection, the systems improve water quality by filtering runoff through vegetation, removing pollutants before the water enters local watercourses. This reduces pressure on the sewer system and helps prevent sewage overflows.

Together, nature-based solutions not only manage flood risk more sustainably but also support biodiversity and create vibrant, resilient urban environments where people and wildlife can thrive.

Our urban and rural catchments are not only the source of most of the flow in our main rivers, but also key areas where we can take long-term action to slow water movement and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

By working with landowners, both large and small, we have the opportunity to implement Natural Flood Management (NFM) techniques. These include encouraging rainwater to soak into the ground where it falls, slowing water once the ground becomes saturated, and reconnecting rivers with their natural floodplains.

NFM uses a suite of nature-based solutions, from planting trees and hedgerows, aerating compacted soils, and creating ponds, to placing large woody debris in river channels. These techniques not only reduce flood risk but also enhance biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife.

We’ve delivered three pilot projects in the Limb Brook, Upper Loxley, and Ewden/Stocksbridge areas. These were made possible through a strong partnership between the Environment Agency, Sheffield City Council, the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, and the Steel Valley Project.