Flood risk management

Delivering effective and practical flood risk management advice

Flood risk management is a vital consideration for any development. At Buro Happold we specialise in managing risks from all sources including tidal, fluvial, surface water, groundwater and water mains failure

The key to effective management of flood risk lies in developing a thorough understanding of both the baseline (existing) and potential future condition. By understanding the baseline and likely future flood mechanism our team is able to determine the risk to a proposed development over its intended lifespan, and we can then identify the most effective and resilient forms of flood risk mitigation. In this way we are frequently able to turn what can often be considered a constraint, into a major opportunity, where not only the proposed new development is protected, but the standard of protection is raised to areas surrounding the new development.

Our team includes highly experienced hydrologists and hydraulic modellers that use a variety of specialist software packages to create one-dimensional, two-dimensional and combined one and two-dimensional models that allow us to replicate a range of events to high levels of accuracy. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and we ensure that our dynamic and innovative solutions are resilient and designed for the long term, including the potential impacts of climate change.

Our key professionals have extensive knowledge of the statutory requirements relating to flood risk and, crucially, have established strong working relationships with key statutory authorities and stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, Canal & River Trust, water utility companies and local planning authorities.

These relationships have helped us provide extra value for the benefit of our clients and their projects. With client support we develop an early understanding of the major issues and identify strategies for mitigating key impacts with the relevant stakeholders. This informal, partnered approach to stakeholder engagement has helped us to provide maximum value to our clients by gaining approvals early and thereby removing major risks on behalf of our clients.

Our expertise in flood risk management includes:


  • Analysis of all sources of risk (coastal, tidal, fluvial, surface water, groundwater, mains failure)
  • Hydrological modelling
  • 1D and 2D dynamic and steady state hydraulic modelling
  • Flood risk assessments
  • Flood risk mitigation
  • Asset plans
  • Flood warning and evacuation management plans
  • Surface water drainage strategies
  • GIS analysis and mapping
  • Consents, licenses and approvals
  • Stakeholder liaison
  • Flood risk planning advice and support