Investigating the interdependencies between surface and groundwater in the Oxford area to help predict the timing and location of groundwater flooding and to optimise flood mitigation measures

In February 2002, the Environment Agency commenced a study to identify sustainable methods to reduce the flood risk in Oxford. Over 3,600 properties are within the floodplain of the Rivers Thames and Cherwell with a 1% (1 in 100) annual flood exceedance probability. During the early stages of the study, it was recognised that out-of-bank flows from the rivers was the most significant factor but that groundwater flooding could not be ignored. This paper addresses the output of a collaborative project that was set up between the Environment Agency and the British Geological Survey to address the groundwater issues and their impact on flooding.