British Waterways' role in flood mitigation and emergency response

British Waterways manages a complex network of canals and rivers that are intrinsically linked with the land drainage and river network of the United Kingdom. Like many other organisations, it was severely affected by the floods of 1998 and 2000 which tested its emergency planning to the limit. This paper explains the causes of flooding in the waterway network, the risks this creates and how British Waterways seeks to manage them. Case histories from 1998 and 2000 illustrate the diversity of impacts of flood events and the organisational response to constrain them. It points to the lessons learned from recent events, in particular the need for experienced staff, effective warning and communication systems, and full understanding of how the British Waterways network is integrated linked with the land drainage and new network of the UK.