This paper discusses the impact on reservoirs of the storms that affected north-east England and the Gloucestershire region in June and July 2007. The incident at Ulley Reservoir was well publicised and there were a large number of other dams that were overtopped and/or damaged by these storm events. The paper aims to:

Evaluate the meteorological and statistical significance of the storm events experienced in the two regions;

Summarise the impacts on reservoirs in both regions;

Comment on the possible implications for reservoir safety operation, management and legislation; and

Comment on how current research into extreme rainfall events should improve flood risk assessments for dam safety in the UK.

  • SYNOPSIS

  • INTRODUCTION

  • METEOROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 2007 STORMS

  • VULNERABILITY OF DAMS TO EXTREME FLOODS

  • THE IMPACT OF THE 2007 FLOODS ON RESERVOIRS

  • IMPLICATIONS FOR RESERVOIR OPERATION, SURVEILLANCE AND LEGISLATION

  • CURRENT RESEARCH ON EXTREME RAINFALL FOR RESERVOIR FLOOD SAFETY

  • CONCLUSIONS

  • REFERENCES

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