15/07/2005 - The Environment
Agency has recently completed work on floodbanks,
traditionally known as argaes, on the upper
reaches of the rivers Vyrnwy and Severn.
The banks provide low-level protection from
the River Severn flooding land at Gwyfer Brook
and the River Vyrnwy flooding land between
Haimwood and the Haim. When the rivers overtop
the argaes, water is stored behind them for
a period on a large area of flat land and
then released via sluice gates when the river
levels subside.
Doing this reduces the peak flood levels
in Shrewsbury, meaning the argaes have a double
role to play in limiting flooding’s impact
in the county, making it even more important
that they are maintained in good condition.
The embankments were originally constructed
about 200 years ago and have since been maintained
on an ad-hoc basis, normally after floods
have damaged them.
The current work involves the total reconstruction
to modern standards. This means that the embankments
now have a much wider crest, along which a
vehicle can travel to effect emergency repairs.
They also have much shallower side slopes,
which are less prone to be damaged by debris
being carried by floodwaters. The shallower
slopes also allow the farmer who owns the
land to cut silage from the sloping areas,
thus increasing rather than reducing the area
of land which he can use.
Area Flood Risk Manager Peter May said: ‘It
was great seeing how well these projects funded
by monies by local Midlands authorities worked.
I look forward to the Area benefiting from
similar projects in the future’
