Leeds FAS2 FSR: environmental challenges for the design of an in-river control structure

As flood-risk authorities look to counter increasing peak river flows due to a changing climate, traditional linear flood defences are in many cases proving to be an unsustainable method of managing flood risk. Full containment of flows in the river channel will require ever-increasing defence heights, cutting off communities from their rivers and natural heritage. Upstream flood storage provides a potential alternative means of flood management, allowing the peak of the flood to attenuate and downstream river levels to be kept within a tolerable range. The Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 uses a combined approach: linear defences are constructed in urban reaches and complemented by an online flood storage reservoir (FSR) upstream of the city. The FSR halves the annual probability of defences overtopping within the city centre from 1 to 0.5%, achieved through active variable flow control at the FSR. This paper explores some of the challenges faced in the design and construction of the in-river flow control structure which is integral to the operation of the FSR. In particular this paper will consider some of the key environmental objectives for the scheme and offer considerations for working in a dynamic and environmentally sensitive fluvial environment.