Southwest Environmental Limited

Flood Risk Photos

Below are some pictures of flood damage or tell tale signs of flooding that were viewed on site visits. Click on the images for a better view.

Tributary adjacent to M5 during after storm event.

The Grand Western Canal drained after breach.

The embankment that failed leading to breach of the Grand Western Canal

Flooding from the Grand Western Canal Breach

Flooding from the Grand Western Canal Breach

The Grand Western Canal near Exeter drained after Breach

The Temporary Dam used to seal off comprised section of Canal

Flooding on Road in Devon

Leaves stuck in fencing show height reached by flood water.

Picture of Culm Valley in Flood Day After Heavy Rain

Picture of Culm Valley Day After Heavy Rain

Picture of Culm Valley Day After Heavy Rain

River Culm. Note Sandy deposits on foot path left behind by receding flood waters.

Gates in to field on flood plain that have been forced open by flood water.

Gates in to field on flood plain that have been forced open by flood water.

Flooding on Somerset Levels

Flooding on Somerset Levels

Flooding on Somerset Levels

Flooding on Somerset Levels - King Alfred Pub

A Collection of Photos from Dorset During Flooding Event

The below section was written by a machine.

Technical Insight: Visual Evidence in Flood Risk Consultancy

Our flood risk photo gallery serves as a technical resource, demonstrating the critical role that visual site evidence plays in a robust Flood Risk Assessment (FRA). While desktop data from the Environment Agency provides a baseline, high-resolution site photography allows our consultants to identify micro-topography and local drainage nuances that are often omitted from national-scale flood maps.

The Role of Photography in Drainage Strategy

Capturing site-specific constraints is essential for the design of effective Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Visual documentation helps verify:

• Existing Watercourse Conditions: Assessing the capacity and maintenance state of local streams or culverts.
• Ground Features for Infiltration: Identifying areas potentially suitable for BRE 365 soakaway testing based on visible soil profiles or vegetation indicators.
• Flow Path Obstructions: Documenting walls, embankments, or topographic highs that divert surface water runoff during intense rainfall events.
• Historic Flood Evidence: Recording physical markers such as debris lines or water staining on existing structures to ground-truth hydraulic models.

Supporting Sequential and Exception Testing

When justifying a development under the Sequential Test, photographic evidence provides planning officers with the clarity needed to understand site levels relative to flood zones. By combining site imagery with detailed flood zone modelling, we provide a comprehensive evidence base that supports planning applications in sensitive catchments. This visual transparency is a hallmark of the 900+ projects SWEL has delivered across the UK, ensuring that both developers and regulators have a clear understanding of environmental constraints.

Integration with Wider Environmental Planning

Site walkovers for flood risk often coincide with other technical assessments. The features documented in this gallery frequently overlap with Ecology Surveys and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), particularly where proposed flood mitigation measures (such as attenuation ponds) can provide co-benefits for biodiversity. Our team ensures that visual site data is integrated across all disciplines to provide a streamlined route to planning consent.