Leicestershire, 21 February 2017 – A groundwater flood risk map of the UK is being made widely available for the first time. Created by JBA Consulting and available online from aerial mapping company Bluesky, the map is designed to help home owners, developers and risk management authorities understand the threat of groundwater flooding. The new colour coded hazard map is easy to use and complements other flood maps and geographic datasets already available from the Bluesky Mapshop.
With the cost to properties estimated to be annually over £500 million, groundwater flooding is a growing threat as the UK is expected to experience considerably higher levels of rainfall as a result of climate change. Groundwater flooding is caused by unusually high groundwater levels, in most cases following periods of prolonged rain. It occurs when the water table in permeable rock rises to enter basements and cellars or presents as excess water emerging at the ground surface. Groundwater levels are generally highest in early spring, and the resulting flooding can pose considerable economic and social threat.
“Groundwater flooding tends to be more persistent than surface water flooding and can result in significant damage to property,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of aerial mapping company Bluesky. “As weather events become more severe and rainfall levels rise, so, therefore, does the threat of groundwater flooding.”
The new Groundwater Flood Map was created by JBA Consulting and provides comprehensive coverage of all aquifers in England, Wales and Scotland. Created using a range of data, including known locations of past groundwater flooding events, rainfall measurements and aquifer properties, the new map provides classification of hazards on a 50 metre grid using a simple traffic-light system. A three tiered methodology, used to create the map, allows for quick and efficient updates and refining of the map for local areas of particular interest.
“These maps will support flood risk management activities at a national or local scale, and will assist risk management authorities in meeting their responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act,” added Dr Maxine Zaidman, Technical Director for Hydrology and Hyrdometry at JBA Consulting.
The JBA Groundwater Flood Map is now available to download from www.blueskymapshop.com. The Bluesky Mapshop already offers complete nationwide coverage of aerial photography from multiple epochs, 3D models, LiDAR data, Thermal Mapping and Bluesky’s National Tree Map™. Other flood related map layers also available from the Bluesky Mapshop include the JBA’s Comprehensive Flood Map, Susceptibility to Groundwater Flooding and Geological Indicators of Flooding from the British Geological Survey and a collection of flood data from the Environment Agency.
About Bluesky
Bluesky is a specialist in aerial survey including aerial photography, LiDAR and thermal data using the very latest survey technology, including two UltraCam Eagles and a Teledyne Optech Galaxy LiDAR system integrated with a PhaseOne camera and thermal sensor. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies. Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and maintains national “off the shelf” coverage of aerial photography, DTM and DSM through an on-going three-year update programme. The integrated Galaxy LiDAR system, which includes thermal and aerial photography cameras, places Bluesky at the forefront of this technology and in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and extremely cost effective solutions. Bluesky is leading the way in developing innovative solutions for environmental applications, including the UK’s first National Tree Map™ (NTM), solar mapping and citywide ‘heat loss’ maps and is currently developing noise and air quality mapping products. www.bluesky-world.com
About JBA Consulting
JBA Consulting is a team of engineers, environmental consultants, designers and scientists, committed to improving the natural and built environment and creating sustainable places to live and work. JBA Consulting is part of the JBA Group. JBA was founded in 1995 as a specialist engineering and environmental consultancy with an interest in flood risk management and the environment as a whole. Today, it is one of the largest employee-owned consultancies in the sector. Being owned by its staff, JBA is free to make long term business plans and to invest in research and education. Today, the JBA family includes: JBA Consulting, the original consulting business, JBA Risk Management, a specialist company for assessing and managing risk, JBA Energy, a renewable energy portfolio and The JBA Trust, a registered charity lying out with the JBA Group, specifically created to further research and education in our areas of business. The JBA Group now employs more than 459 people and directly or indirectly supports over 1,000 people. JBA operates from 22 offices in the UK, Isle of Man, Ireland, Germany and Cambodia and works on projects all over the world. www.jbagroup.co.uk