The Adur Adaptation Project is an exciting, ten-year, collaboration between the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, and West Sussex County Council, aiming to inspire a partnership approach to working with natural processes to improve the condition and function of the River Adur. The core objectives of the project are, through the use of Nature Based Solutions, to;
Reduce the impact of flooding to property and infrastructure
Achieve a 10% reduction in peak flows during heavy rainfall
Create drought resilience through increasing annual base flow recharge
Enhance the river and floodplain environment through diversifying in-channel and riparian habitats.
Deliver tangible improvements to water quality through alterations to land management and the creation of integrated constructed wetlands.
Create a water environment more resilient to the impacts of climate change
Since 2021, the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust have been working closely with landowners, farmers, and communities to identify where flooding and ‘wet-spots’ occur throughout the River Adur Catchment. This collaborative approach has identified numerous opportunities for Natural Flood Management (NFM) initiatives that could help alleviate flood risk to the most vulnerable properties in the area.
Working With Natural Processes
Working with natural processes is based on the principle of working with the river system and its floodplains to slow and store water, enhance soil quality and improve water quality, in a more natural way. This can provide multiple benefits to landowners, farmers, communities, and wildlife. We will be taking a strategic approach, based on the outputs of computer modelling and hydrological monitoring, to ensure the right intervention in the right place.