River Diversions

Occasionally it is necessary to alter the course of a river in order to accommodate a proposed development. We have experience of diverting all classifications of river from simple land drains, ordinary watercourses, critical ordinary watercourses and Environment Agency Main Rivers.

Water Environment can offer a complete river diversion and reinstatement service, and can manage all aspects of the project, including:

• Provision of initial concept ideas and draft designs;
• Negotiation with the Environment Agency and/or Local Authority;
• Hydrological analysis and hydraulic modelling to test the flood risk implications;
• Preparation of a full Flood Risk Assessment;
• Detailed river diversion design drawings for construction;
• Application of necessary consents; and,
• Supervision of construction and replanting of new channel.

Successful diversion and reinstatement of a river can provide increased development potential, but with sensitive and careful design, can also provide ecological, biodiversity and public amenity benefits.