The town of Mallow, County Cork, has a long history of flooding from the River Blackwater, which flows through the town. Other watercourses, which can cause flooding in Mallow are the Hospital Stream, Gooldshill Stream, Bearforest Stream and Spa Glen Stream. The Spa Glen Stream caused the most flooding problems, as it flows through the town centre, mostly beneath the streets in a series of culverts.

Mallow has flooded many times and the Town Park flooded several times a year. Major floods have occurred in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2004, 1998, 1995, 1988, 1980, 1969, 1948, 1875 and 1853. The most severe flood occurred in 1853 when the town bridge was swept away.

The Final Engineering Report was produced in October 2003 with a preferred solution, which would protect against a 1 in 100 year flood event - in other words, a flood of such extent that it has a 1% probability of occurrence in any year. Generally, the Scheme comprises new culverts, walls and embankments, some demountable defences, pumping stations and the lowering of ground at Mallow Bridge.

The Scheme was brought to Public Exhibition in 2005. Advance works were undertaken by Cork County Council with OPW funding in 2005-2006. Afterwards, OPW proceeded with Phase 1 of the project with construction works on Mallow North being completed between 2008 and 2010.

In September 2010, works commenced on the remaining phase on the southern side comprising Mallow South and Mallow West Schemes. Construction is almost completed but the Scheme is operational.

The effectiveness of the Scheme depends on the erection of the demountable defences by Cork County Council/Mallow Town Council staff upon receipt of a flood warning from the Early Flood Warning System developed by the OPW. Costs involved in the establishment of the system were funded by OPW.