OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
It is national flood policy that flood risk be managed in a catchment-based manner through a framework of Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans (CFRMPs). In response to the new policy the OPW has developed, and is currently pilot testing, a method to meet these, and other, requirements though what are called Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Studies (CFRAM Studies).
CFRAM Study Objectives
The objectives of the CFRAM Studies are to: -identify and map the existing and potential future flood hazard and risk areas within the Study Area, -build the strategic information base necessary for making informed decisions in relation to managing flood risk, and, -identify viable structural and non-structural measures and options for managing the flood risks for localised high-risk areas and within the catchment as a whole, and, -prepare (a) Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan(s) for the area, and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment, that sets out prioritised measures and policies, that should be pursued by the OPW, Local Authorities and other Stakeholders to achieve the most cost-effective and sustainable management of flood risk within the Study Area.
CFRAM Study ScopeTo achieve the above objectives, the CFRAM Studies involve the following work: -Collection and analysis of data relevant to flooding within the Study Area -Identification, and condition and performance assessment, of flood defence assets -Managing and / or undertaking any surveys necessary to provide the services required (such as topographical, channel, structural and defence asset surveys) -Analysis of the hydrology of the Study Area, including the development of an appropriate hydrological model for scenario impact analysis -Hydraulic analysis (including modelling) of the relevant waterbodies and mapping of the flood hazard and risk zones -Determination of risks to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and the economy -Determination of flood risk management objectives for the Study Area as a whole, with particular emphasis on the areas of potentially significant or moderate risk, and the development and appraisal of possible flood risk management measures to achieve the defined objectives -Determination of an appropriate flood risk management strategy for the Study Area -Preparation of a Flood Risk Management Plan for the Study Area, and of reports on the findings of the Project
Coverage and Level of Detail
The CFRAM Studies are catchment-based studies, and look at flood risk within the context of the whole catchment. The level of risk throughout the catchment obviously varies however, with upland, rural areas typically exposed to much lower risk than villages, towns and cities that are usually sited lower in the catchment. Given the large, catchment-scale coverage of the CFRAM Studies, it is not practical nor cost-effective to address every single, possible cause of flooding, many of which might be minor and give rise to risk that cannot be considered significant at a catchment, regional or national scale. Within the whole catchment context therefore, the CFRAM Studies focus on areas or potentially significant risk.
Similarly, it would not be practical for the Studies to develop potential flood risk management measures to final detailed design or implementation stage. The CFRAM Studies are intended only to identify and develop to outline design stage one or more solutions that have been determined as representing the most cost-beneficial solutions for areas of significant risk and the catchment as a whole.
Pilot Studies and Future Programme
There are currently three pilot CFRAM Studies underway. These are: -The Lee CFRAM Study (Link to Project Sheet – Link to www.leecframs.ie) -The Dodder CFRAM Study (Link to Project Sheet) -The Suir CFRAM Study (Link to Project Sheet)
The Fingal East Meath CFRAM Study (Link to Project Sheet)