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General Flood Information


The OPW, as part of the national Flood Risk Management Policy, has developed a number of information resources for the public. These resources provide information through a number of websites.

Flood Maps - www.floodmaps.ie

This website contains information on recorded flood events in Ireland. You can search for recorded floods by location, either by using a map or by searching for a town or townland, grid reference or river. An advanced search tool allows you to refine your search by date and quality of information. You can use "Layer Control" to add additional data e.g. the land drained by OPW Drainage Schemes carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, Drainage Districts carried out under previous acts (1844, 1863, 1925, 1928 etc.), land protected by embankments that were divided by the Land Commission, rivers, lakes and the location of hydrometric gauges.

Hydrometric Data - www.opw.ie/hydro

Hydrometric data from gauging stations operated by the OPW is derived from continuous measurement of surface water levels at over 350 locations nationwide. At the majority of the sites, discharge can also be estimated through application of a site specific rating curve (known as a stage discharge relationship) developed from a series of flow measurements taken on an ongoing basis.

Along with general station information, quality assessed water level and flow data is presented in various commonly used formats including:

  • Daily mean water level and flow data
  • Water level & flow duration curves
  • Annual maxima water level and flow series

The national hydrometric network is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is required to prepare a national programme for the collection and publication of hydrometric information in the State. The OPW, Local Authorities, and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) own, operate and maintain the vast majority of the existing inland hydrometric network in Ireland. The EPA provides assistance in collecting data from Local Authority gauges and in the quality assurance, archiving and dissemination of this data; it also maintains the Register of Hydrometric Stations in Ireland. EPA Hydrometric site

Flooding: Plan, Prepare, Protect - www.flooding.ie

Floods are a natural and inevitable part of life in Ireland. They are usually caused by a combination of events including overflowing river banks, coastal storms or blocked or overloaded drainage ditches. Numerous severe floods have occurred throughout the country in the last decade. Since the impacts of flooding are so devastating it is important that people whose properties are at risk take appropriate action to resist flooding.

This website aims to provide practical help to all those whose homes or businesses may be at risk of flooding.

Flood Risk Management Activities

The OPW is leading efforts by state agencies to respond to the risk posed by flooding in an integrated and sustainable manner. A wide range of measures are under development to avoid increasing risks in the future, while managing existing risks. These measures include improving the information available to individuals, communities and businesses, and measures to manage existing risks.


Managing Flood Risk   gives an overview of the strategy for managing flood risk in Ireland. Deatils of activities at local level are available at What's going on in my area?