Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) - Water Storage Areas

The Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) includes several layers of information. This dataset covers Water Storage Areas. It shows those areas that act as a balancing reservoir, storage basin or balancing pond. Their purpose is to attenuate an incoming flood peak to a flow level that can be accepted by the downstream channel. It may also delay the timing of a flood peak so that its volume is discharged over a longer time interval. We have assumed that water storage areas act perfectly and give the same level of protection as when our assessment of the area was carried out. Water storage areas do not completely remove the chance of flooding and can be overtopped or fail in extreme weather conditions. This dataset is designed to raise awareness of the likelihood of flooding and to encourage people living and working in areas prone to flooding to find out more and take appropriate action. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2025. All rights reserved. Some features of this map are based on digital spatial data from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, © NERC (CEH) © Crown Copyright and Database Rights 2025 OS AC0000807064.