Rural Floodplain Management

THE PROBLEM

Floodplain management in a rural setting is typified by widespread and long duration flooding affecting both towns and farming communities.  This is because rural floodplains are impacted by flooding from larger catchments with complex river and creeks systems and potentially significant natural variability from flood to flood.

The scale of the flooding presents challenges in both modelling and in developing practical on-ground solutions to help reduce the risks and impacts to the community.  Often there is limited historical data which further adds to the challenges faced.

THE SOLUTION

Experienced practitioners in flood modelling and floodplain management who can work effectively with local stakeholders and communities are vital to properly understand and quantify the flood risk, and to deliver practical structural and non-structural floodplain management options.

The staff at Venant Solutions have successfully delivered a large number of Rural Flooding and Floodplain Risk Management projects across Australia using the latest techniques and technologies whilst working.

The recent revisions of Australian Rainfall and Runoff has highlighted the importance of accounting for natural variability in flood estimation.  Our team has undertaken many studies applying ARR2016 and the new updated ARR2019 guidance that have resulted in robust and defensible hydrologic inputs in our work.

We recognise the importance of the input from local communities.  Their experience during real flood events can be invaluable when developing and calibrating flood models through providing flood marks and first-hand experience of the flooding patterns. Their input into the development of measures to reduce the impact of flooding helps in the development of practical solutions.

These projects typically involve data collation, briefing surveyors, hydrologic modelling, two-dimensional hydraulic modelling, rating-curve reviews, hydraulic and economic assessments of structural and non-structural floodplain management options, review of flood warning systems, community and stakeholder consultation, sedimentation assessments, and reporting and preparation of floodplain risk management plans.

SPECIALIST SERVICES OFFERED
  • Community engagement programs
  • Data collection and review
  • Field survey and formal survey briefs
  • Gauge rating curve development and review
  • Development and calibration of hydrologic and hydraulic models
  • VFD compliant flood mapping
  • Flood animations
  • Flood damages assessments
  • Structural and non-structural mitigation assessments
  • Benefit-cost analysis
  • Flood behaviour and intelligence
  • Total flood warning assessments
  • Floodplain management advice
  • Detailed technical reports

 

VENANT SOLUTIONS SAMPLE PROJECTS
  • Coleraine Flood and Floodplain Management Study
  • Sunday Creek Flood and Floodplain Management Study
  • Goulburn and Broken Rivers Hydraulic Model
  • Supported the Development of the East Gippsland Floodplain Management Strategy
  • Lower Thomson River Hydraulic Model
  • Herbert River Flood and Floodplain Management Study
  • Halifax Levee Upgrade Flood Study
  • Western Slopes Environmental Impact Statement
  • Beaufort Reservoir Hydrologic Assessment