The Environment Agency (EA) has published a set of standards for the flood risk management industry on how to build and review hydraulic models and provide evidence for flood risk management decisions.

The Agency has created the standards for use by:

• hydrologists
• hydraulic modellers
• model reviewers
• project managers

In addition to producing evidence of flood risk, the EA must also advise others how to produce evidence of flood risk.

This evidence supports decision-making for:

• development and planning
• flood alleviation scheme proposals
• flood incident management
• emergency planning

Hydraulic models - computer-based mathematical models of flood risk - are particularly important for flood risk management decisions.

The guidance provides a record of best practice techniques in the fields of hydrological analysis and hydraulic modelling which can be used to help:

• build hydraulic models
• review hydraulic models
• maintain consistency across the flood risk management industry
• improve the quality of applications
• plan and prioritise targeted model updates

The guidance follows the source, pathway, receptor (SPR) and model approach concept which allows models to be split into 3 categories. The ‘model approach’, has been added to cover parts of modelling that do not fit well into the SPR categories.

Source - The source of flood water includes fluvial flows, catchment rainfall runoff, man-made inputs, downstream sources and direct rainfall.

Pathway - Pathways can include river channels, pipe networks, floodplains, hydraulic structures, flood defences and downstream boundaries.

Receptor - Receptors are residential and commercial properties, and infrastructure at risk from flooding. Most receptors will be in the floodplain.

Click here for more information about the standards