Introduction

Accurate information about the capacity of channels and their associated floodplains is required for estimation of water level in the management and design of fluvial and drainage systems for Flood Risk Management and Land Drainage purposes.  Past research has provided data on flows in straight compound and vegetated channels but better synthesis is needed of the results into practical problem solving techniques.

These were the conclusions of practitioners and researchers in the UK Network on Conveyance in River Flood Plain Systems funded by EPSRC.  In response to this, and the Environment Agency's (EA) vision for reducing uncertainties in the estimation of flood levels, a team of experts led by HR Wallingford developed a new Conveyance Estimation System. The new system is being adopted in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Conveyance R&D Project was funded by the joint Defra / EA Flood and Coastal Defence research programme, with contributions from the Scottish Executive, the Northern Ireland Rivers Agency, and the Natural Environment Research Council.  It was carried out under the Research Framework Agreement between HR Wallingford and the Environment Agency.