OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Strategic Information Development Programmes
Work programmes and projects under this theme are aimed the development of the necessary flood hazard and risk information, including associated research, to permit effective decision-making, and include:
Flood Studies Update Programme
The Flood Studies Report involved world-class research to provide Ireland with a comprehensive suite of methods for flood estimation at any point in the country. This work was however published in 1975 using data recorded up to 1969. Since that time, more than 30 years’ additional data has been collected, further research has been undertaken to develop new methods, and information technology has opened the doors to whole new approaches not previously conceivable.
The Flood Studies Update (FSU) is a major (costing approximately €1.7m) research and development programme to overhaul the flood estimation methodologies and capabilities in Ireland, and provide a state-of-the-art web-based system for flood estimation. The Programme has been running for almost three years and is due for completion with the launch of the website in 2009.
Further information:(Link – FSU Project Sheet)
Strategic Hydro-Meteorological Review
The national hydro-meteorological monitoring network has generally evolved through historical needs rather than a long-term strategic view of data requirements. This has lead to a network that, while comparable with most developed countries, has gaps in coverage that limits some aspects of flood estimation.
To address these deficits, and to set out a best-practice approach for the future, a comprehensive review of the current monitoring and data collection network and practice has been recently completed. The findings of this review are now under assessment by the relevant gauging authorities, with a view to implementation over the coming years.
Review Report:(Link – PDF of Review Report)
Research and Development Programme
The FSU represents a major research programme in its own right, and the OPW is also funding or undertaking other significant flood-related research programmes, notably in the area of environmental drainage maintenance . The OPW have however identified the need for other areas of research to be undertaken under a structured and strategic programme to meet long-term, as well as short-term, needs.
A structured framework for a national flood risk management research and development programme has been prepared, and it is intended that this programme will be initiated in 2009.