Natural Flood Management (NFM)

Helping slow flood water naturally

Natural Flood Management is about slowing water down before it reaches towns, villages, roads, and property. Instead of only using concrete flood defences, we work with the landscape to help hold water back naturally.

Simple measures higher up in the catchment can make a big difference downstream. These solutions also improve wildlife habitat and water quality while still allowing land to be farmed and managed normally.

We work with landowners, councils, rivers trusts, and conservation groups to put practical, sensible solutions in place that fit the land and cause minimal disruption.

From planning through to installation, we help manage water in a way that works with nature rather than against it.

Our Natural Flood Management services include:

• Leaky dams
  We build timber structures in streams that slow water down and hold some of it back during heavy rain, while still allowing fish and wildlife to move freely.
• Pond and wetland creation
  Creating ponds and wet areas helps store excess water, reduce flood peaks, and create new wildlife habitat.
• Earth bunds and small earthworks
  Low earth banks can guide or hold water in safe areas, helping protect land, roads, and property.
• Swales and improved drainage channels
  Shallow channels and improved ditches help slow and filter water flowing off fields or roads before it reaches streams.
• Tree and riverside planting
  Planting trees and vegetation along streams helps stop erosion, improve habitats, and slow water moving across the land.
• Whole catchment planning support
  We help land managers look at how water moves across larger areas and identify simple ways to slow the flow and reduce flood risk. 

GIS mapping and site planning

Good flood management starts with understanding how water moves across the land. We use GIS mapping and on-site surveys to identify where water naturally flows, collects, or causes problems.

This allows us to place ponds, leaky dams, bunds, and planting in the locations where they will make the biggest difference, ensuring projects are practical, cost-effective, and work properly over the long term.

Practical solutions that deliver real environmental benefits

Our projects not only help reduce flooding but also improve wildlife habitats and support wider environmental goals, helping landowners and organisations demonstrate positive environmental impact while managing land responsibly.