Flooding & Coast Protection
Shetland Islands Council Planning and Roads services collaborate to monitor and improve drainage and coastal protection in order to mitigate the effects of flooding and coastal erosion. The work is overseen by a Civil Engineer who undertakes drainage and coastal protection surveys and assists in the design and procurement of new infrastructure such as culverts, SUDS schemes, shoreline armour and sea walls. Existing infrastructure is also monitored and maintained to protect the community from flooding and coastal erosion. The engineer is also responsible for the reporting to the Scottish Government and administering a grants scheme for coastal protection projects.
The three main types of flooding are -
Fluvial Flooding – Flooding which is caused by a watercourse, river or stream
Pluvial Flooding – Flooding that results from overland flow generated by rainfall
Coastal Flooding - An overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry
Storm Surges - A storm surge occurs when low air pressure combines with strong winds. Low pressure causes the sea level to rise higher than normal and the wind will then push it onto the land.
Heavy Rainfall - When it has been raining on the land, watercourses become full. Usually the water in the watercourse will flow downstream towards the sea, but if there is a high tide (which acts a bit like an invisible wall), the water can’t flow into the sea. Instead, the water in the watercourse just gets deeper, eventually causing flooding. High winds can make this worse by causing big waves.
High Tides – The tide gauge building and pressure points are located on the inner wall at the breakwater entrance to the small boat harbour, south of Victoria Pier, Lerwick.
Tidal Data
Real/near-real time data display
Highest & lowest predicted tides Years 2008 to 2026
Legislative framework
A full list of all current legislative frameworks for flood risk management within Scotland is available here.
Flooding legislation is going through a period of change at present with the introduction of The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill. The bill was passed by Parliament on May 13, 2009 and received Royal Assent on June 16, 2009.
It is expected that the Act will commence in stages during 2010, until Section 70 repeals the current legislation the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 as ammended by the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997 will remain in place.
Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 (c.41)
Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997
SEPA
SEPA is responsible for the operation of flood warning schemes in partnership with local authorities, including operation of ‘Floodline’. SEPA also provides advice to local authorities on flood risk for planning purposes and flood prevention and information in response to public queries on flood risk areas and properties.
To assist with this SEPA also produce an indicative river & coastal flood map showing areas of Scotland that are potentially at risk of flooding
Indicative River & Coastal Flood Map (Scotland)
Useful Links
Flooding & Coast Protection Policy
Climate Change Impacts In Shetland
Disposal of surface water within your site - Advice Note
Indicative Guidance for Flood Risk Assessment - Advice Note
Coastal Protection Grants
Important notes for applicants
Biennial Flood Reports
One of Shetland Island Council’s requirements under the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997 is to publish flood prevention reports every 2 years.
The reports detail -
(a) The measures considered necessary to prevent or mitigate the flooding of non-agricultural land
(b) The measures taken to prevent or mitigate the flooding of such land since the publication of the previous report; and
(c) All occurrences of flooding since the publication of the previous report.
Contact
Jonathan Duncan
Flooding and Coastal Protection Engineer
Gremista
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0PX
Email: heritage@shetland.gov.uk
Phone: +44 (01595) 744124