A hydrological assessment of the November 2009 floods in Cumbria, UK

Miller, J.D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7705-8898; Kjeldsen, T.R.; Hannaford, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5256-3310; Morris, D.G.. 2013 A hydrological assessment of the November 2009 floods in Cumbria, UK. Hydrology Research, 44 (1). 180-197. 10.2166/nh.2012.076

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Abstract/Summary

In November 2009, record-breaking rainfall resulted in severe, damaging flooding in Cumbria, in the north-west of England. This paper presents an analysis of the river flows and lake levels experienced during the event. Comparison with previous maxima shows the exceptional nature of this event, with new maximum flows being established at 17 river flow gauging stations, particularly on catchments influenced by lakes. The return periods of the flood peaks are estimated using the latest Flood Estimation Handbook statistical procedures. Results demonstrate that the event has considerably reduced estimates of flood frequency and associated uncertainty. Analysis of lake levels suggests that their record high levels reduced their attenuating effect, significantly affecting the timing and magnitude of downstream peaks. The peak flow estimate of 700 m3s-1 at Workington, the lowest station on the Derwent, was examined in the context of upstream inputs and was found to be plausible. The results of this study have important implications for the future development of flood frequency estimation methods for the UK. It is recommended that further research is undertaken on the role of abnormally elevated lake levels and that flood frequency estimation procedures in lake-influenced catchments are reviewed.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.2166/nh.2012.076
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Water > WA Topic 3 - Science for Water Management > WA - 3.1 - Develop next generation methods for river flow frequency estimation and forecasting
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Boorman (to September 2014)
ISSN:	1998-9563
Additional Keywords:	Cumbria, flood frequency, floods, lakes, November 2009, return period
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology
Date made live:	08 Mar 2013 16:10 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14175

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.2166/nh.2012.076

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Water > WA Topic 3 - Science for Water Management > WA - 3.1 - Develop next generation methods for river flow frequency estimation and forecasting

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Boorman (to September 2014)

ISSN:

1998-9563

Additional Keywords:

Cumbria, flood frequency, floods, lakes, November 2009, return period