Groundwater‐surface water interaction in an upland hillslope‐floodplain environment, Eddleston, Scotland

New investigations into the integrated nature of groundwater, soil and surface water at a study site in the Scottish Borders are improving our understanding of hydrological processes in upland hillslope‐floodplain environments. We present the initial results of an interdisciplinary study, which offers real potential for better understanding, mitigation and management of flood events. The Eddleston study site is located in the Eddleston Water experimental catchment, in which work is being funded by the Scottish Government to test natural flood management techniques and an integrated catchment management approach to sustainable flood risk management. The site is upland and rural and encompasses an area of 0.2 km2 in the Eddleston Water valley, from hillslope to floodplain. Landuse is largely improved grassland, with silage grown on the floodplain and livestock grazing on the floodplain and hillslope, and small areas of Scots pine plantations.