The River Crake, Yewdale Beck and Church Beck flood risk mapping project

Cumbria has seen some of the worst floods to hit our shores in recent years. The Carlisle disaster in 2005 was splashed across all the front pages and opened the evening news. We're working hard to make sure everyone is better prepared in the future - and key to our efforts is a trustworthy, up-to-date flood map.

Flood mapping plays an essential part in effective flood risk management by helping us predict where flooding may occur, how severe it could be and to enable us to target resources where they are most needed. This means we can create defences and develop emergency procedures that reduce the risk to lives and property. The maps are doubly important too, because they help Government planners avoid building on areas of high risk, and help the Association of British Insurers set insurance premiums for the region.

The River Crake, Yewdale Beck and Church Beck were initially selected to be mapped because of historical flooding in Coniston and also a lack of reliable flood risk information on the area. So, nothing was left to chance. First, we consulted historical reports and climate change assessments, and put together a preliminary report. This wasn't easy, as Coniston Water - a five-mile long, 184-foot deep lake - was a huge influencing factor. We commissioned planes to use a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) survey to pinpoint water levels and depths, and also had to consider and understand the effect that heavy mining in the catchment may have on predicted floods.

They proved interesting challenges to overcome. Especially when added to the fact we only had a £50,000 budget, and a tight schedule because the flights had to take place during winter, when there was less vegetation to block our scopes. But between our experienced team of Hydrologists, River Modellers and Geomorphologists, the maps were ready on time, on budget, and as accurate as they could ever possibly be.