Editing River Parrett (section)

== Flood prevention ==
[[File:Monksleazeclyce.jpg|alt=A metal gantry between the road in the foreground and a river. To the right is a breeze block building with warning signs on it.|thumb|left|Monk's Leaze clyce. This sluice regulates the flow of water between the River Parrett and the [[Sowy River]] (the River Parrett Relief Channel).]]
The waters of the Severn Estuary, which are heavily laden with silt, flow into the lower reaches of the Parrett and the Tone on each tide. This silt can rapidly gather on the banks of the rivers, reducing the capacity and performance of the channel, and increasing the risk of flooding of surrounding land.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parrettcatchment.info/what-we-are-doing/water/|title=Component 5: Dredging and maintaining river channels|publisher=Parrett Catchment Project|access-date=4 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301081613/http://www.parrettcatchment.info/what-we-are-doing/water/|archive-date=1 March 2012}}</ref>

The river is a [[highland carrier]], as it is embanked and the water level is often higher than the land through which it flows.<ref name=eafloodplan/> Water from the surrounding countryside does not therefore drain into the river naturally, and drainage schemes have relied on pumping to remove the water. The pumping station at [[Westonzoyland]] was built in 1830, the first [[pump|mechanical pumping station]] on the Somerset Levels. It was designed to drain the area around Westonzoyland, [[Middlezoy]] and [[Othery]],<ref name=bhowestonzoyland/> and the success of the [[Drainage system (agriculture)|drainage system]] led to the formation of [[internal drainage board]]s and the construction of other [[pumping station]]s.

The pump at Westonzoyland originally comprised a beam engine and [[scoop wheel]], which is similar to a water wheel, except that it is driven round by the engine and lifts water up to a higher level. After 25&nbsp;years, there were problems pumping the water away as the land surface had dropped as it dried out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15118 |title=Westonzoyland |work=A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 8: The Poldens and the Levels |year=2004 |pages=190–210 |publisher=British History Online |access-date=14 November 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622101457/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15118 |archive-date=22 June 2011 }}</ref> A better method was sought, and in 1861 a replacement pump was installed. The engine was built by [[Easton and Amos]] of London, to a design patented in 1858 by Charles Amos.<ref name="eastonandamos">{{cite web |url=http://www.wzlet.org/enginesenginehouse.htm |title=The engine house |publisher=Westonzoyland Pumping Station |access-date=7 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717073437/http://www.wzlet.org/enginesenginehouse.htm |archive-date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> It is a twin cylinder, vertical condensing engine, driving a [[centrifugal pump]]. A similar engine was on display at the [[The Great Exhibition|Great Exhibition of 1851]] and was shown to be able to lift 100&nbsp;tons of water per minute (1,700 L/s), to a height of {{convert|6|ft|m|1}}.<ref name="eastonandamos"/> The Westonzoyland pump lifts water from the [[rhyne]] (pronounced "reen") into the River Parrett. The pump operated until 1951, when a new diesel-powered pumping station, capable of pumping 35&nbsp;tons per minute (600 L/s) at any state of the tide, was built beside the old one.<ref name=bhowestonzoyland>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol8/pp190-210|title=Westonzoyland|work=A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 8: The Poldens and the Levels (2004), pp. 190–210 |publisher=British History Online |access-date=9 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711075419/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol8/pp190-210 |archive-date=11 July 2015}}</ref> The pumping station is now an Industrial Heritage museum of steam powered machinery and land drainage, and houses most of the equipment from the disused Burrowbridge pumping station.<ref name="westonpump"/>

The Somerset River Authority was established in the 1960s, and later became part of [[Wessex Water]]. Tidal models were used to explore the effects of any improvements to the river, and the likelihood of adverse consequences, i.e. flooding and subsequent silting.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Allen|first=Jack|date=December 1942|title=Schemes of Improvement for the River Parrett : An Investigation with the Aid of a Tidal Model|journal= Journal of the Institution of Civil Engineers|volume=19|issue=2|pages=85–99|doi=10.1680/ijoti.1942.13845}}</ref> Engineering works were undertaken at the Parrett, King's Sedgemoor Drain, and River Brue systems, to try to ensure that the agricultural land benefited from a potable water supply in the groundwaters from the Quantock Hills to the coastline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parrettcatchment.info/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=1926&type=full&servicetype=Attachment|title=Future Organisational Structure for the Levels and Moors and Parrett Catchment|publisher=Somerset County Council|access-date=18 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301081504/http://www.parrettcatchment.info/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=1926&type=full&servicetype=Attachment|archive-date=1 March 2012}}</ref>

Various measures including [[Sluice|sluice gates]], known locally as "clyce", have been deployed to try to control flooding. Completed in 1972, the [[Sowy River]] is a {{convert|7.5|mi|km|adj=on}} embanked channel which starts at Monks Leaze clyce below Langport, and carries excess water from the river to the Kings Sedgemoor Drain, from where it flows to the estuary by gravity, rejoining the Parrett near Dunball wharf. Construction of the channel, together with improvements to the Kings Sedgemoor Drain and the rebuilding of the clyce at Dunball, to create a fresh water seal which prevents salt water entering the drain from the river, cost £1.4&nbsp;million.<ref name=otter/> The scheme has resulted in less flooding on Aller Moor.<ref name=eafloodplan/>

[[File:OathLockRiverParrett.jpg|alt=Metal gates surmounted by a gantry across the river. To the left is a weir.|thumb|right|The sluice at [[Oath, Somerset|Oath]] Lock in summer, with the gates lowered. Oath Lock cottage is off to the right.]]
In the 1970s a study was commissioned by Wessex Water to investigate the likely effects of constructing a tide-excluding barrier, aimed at stopping the silt, just upriver of Dunball Wharf on the hydraulic, sedimentary and pollutant regime of the estuary. Results showed that a site further upriver could be viable.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Maskell |first=J.M. |year=1980 |title= River Parrett tidal barrier: hydraulic investigation |journal=Public Health Engineer |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=11–19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bridgwater Strategic Flood Defence Infrastructure Planning Final Report June 2009 |url=http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=4205&p=0 |publisher=Sedgemoor Council |access-date=11 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518080705/http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=4205&p=0 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref>

The area around the estuary, known as Parrett Reach, around the Steart Peninsula has flooded many times during the last millennium. As a result, the [[Environment Agency]] produced the [[Stolford]] to Combwich Coastal Defence Strategy Study in 2002, to examine options for the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/stolford_to_combwich.pdf.pdf |title=Stolford to Combwich Coastal Defence Strategy Study |access-date=31 October 2007  |work=Environment Agency |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182252/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/stolford_to_combwich.pdf.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 27 September 2007}}</ref> In July 2010 the Environment Agency presented plans to convert the peninsula into wetland habitat. It was claimed to be the largest wetland habitat creation scheme in England.<ref>{{cite news|title=Plans to flood Steart peninsula to create wetlands |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10513811 |publisher=BBC |access-date=26 July 2010 |date=5 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908021614/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10513811 |archive-date= 8 September 2014 }}</ref> The old sea-wall has been breached to let [[salt marsh]] develop.<ref name="wwt">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/steart-marshes/about/project-milestones/ |title=Project Milestones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109022325/http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/steart-marshes/about/project-milestones/ |archive-date= 9 January 2017 }}</ref>

Following summer floods of 1997 and the prolonged flooding of 1999–2000 the Parrett Catchment Project was formed, partly funded by the [[European Union]] [[European Regional Development Fund|Regional Development Fund]], by 30 organisations, including [[British Waterways]], [[Campaign to Protect Rural England]], [[Countryside Agency]], [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]], Environment Agency, Kings Sedgemoor and Cary Vale Internal Drainage Board (now part of Parrett Internal Drainage Board), Levels and Moors Partnership, [[National Farmers Union of England and Wales|National Farmers Union]], Sedgemoor, [[Somerset County Council]], [[South Somerset|South Somerset District Council]], [[Taunton Deane]] and Wessex Water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parrettcatchment.info/who-we-are/|title=Who we are|publisher=Parrett Catchment Project|access-date=18 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110220616/http://www.parrettcatchment.info/who-we-are/|archive-date=10 January 2015}}</ref> They aim to tackle twelve areas, which, when combined, will make a significant contribution to reducing the adverse effects of flooding. These include the conversion of arable land, adoption of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) approach to controlling rainwater runoff from developed areas, dredging, raising riverbanks and improving pumping facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parrettcatchment.info/what-we-are-doing/|title=What we are doing|publisher=Parrett Catchment project|access-date=18 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110220710/http://www.parrettcatchment.info/what-we-are-doing/|archive-date=10 January 2015}}</ref> Further studies of the possible beneficial effects of woodland in reducing flooding have also been undertaken.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/pdf/FR_report_2004-5_floodplain.pdf/$FILE/FR_report_2004-5_floodplain.pdf  |title=Interactions between floodplain woodland and the freshwater environment |access-date=8 December 2007 |work=Forest Research: Annual Report and Accounts2004–2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906112851/http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/pdf/FR_report_2004-5_floodplain.pdf/%24FILE/FR_report_2004-5_floodplain.pdf |archive-date=6 September 2008 }}</ref>

During the [[winter flooding of 2013–14 on the Somerset Levels]] the River Parrett overflowed at new year, during the rain and storms from [[Cyclone Dirk|Storm Dirk]], with many residents asking for the Environment Agency to resume river dredging.<ref name="westerndailypress1">{{cite news |url=http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Plea-calm-political-storm-erupts/story-20601268-detail/story.html |title=Somerset floods: Cameron orders end to petty squabbles in Cabinet |newspaper=Western Daily Press |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222042740/http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Plea-calm-political-storm-erupts/story-20601268-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25633693 |title=UK storms: Further flooding risk as heavy rain forecast |work=BBC News |date=7 January 2014 |access-date=7 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107135451/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25633693 |archive-date= 7 January 2014 }}</ref> On 24 January 2014, in light of the continued flooded extent of the Somerset Moors and forecast new rainfall as part of the [[2013–2014 United Kingdom winter floods|winter storms of 2013–14 in the United Kingdom]], both Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council declared a [[Emergency management#United Kingdom|major incident]], as defined under the [[Civil Contingencies Act 2004]].<ref name=BBC25876309/><ref name=GuardMajIncid>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/24/uk-floods-major-incident-somerset-levels |title=UK floods: council declares major incident on Somerset Levels |first=Steven |last=Morris |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203161413/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/24/uk-floods-major-incident-somerset-levels |archive-date= 3 February 2014 }}</ref> At this time, with {{convert|17000|acre}} of agricultural land having been under water for over a month,<ref name=GuardMajIncid/> the village of Thorney was abandoned and Muchelney was cut off by flood waters for almost a month.<ref name=BBC25876309>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-25876309|title=Somerset floods: 'Major incident' declared|publisher=BBC |work=BBC News |date=24 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125212823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-25876309 |archive-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> [[Northmoor Green]], which is more commonly known as Moorland, was also severely affected. By the end of January, agricultural land under water included [[North Moor]], [[Curry and Hay Moors]] and [[Greylake]].<ref name=GuardMajIncid/> Bridgwater was partly flooded on 10 February 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26071149|title=Living with the Somerset floods|work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211075703/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26071149 |archive-date=11 February 2014}}</ref> Over 600 houses were flooded, and both flooding and groundwater disrupted services including trains on the [[Bristol to Exeter line]] between Bridgwater and Taunton.<ref name="westerndailypress1"/>

As a result of the extensive flooding, more funds were allocated to dredge the Parrett,<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-34602139 |title=Dredging work costing £2m approved for River Parrett |publisher=BBC |date=October 2015 |access-date=27 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026190154/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-34602139 |archive-date=26 October 2015 }}</ref> although there are doubts as to whether this is an effective solution to the problem of flooding.<ref name="Monbiot">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/30/dredging-rivers-floods-somerset-levels-david-cameron-farmers |title=Dredging rivers won't stop floods. It will make them worse |date=2014 |access-date=27 September 2016 |author=Monbiot, George |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613005655/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/30/dredging-rivers-floods-somerset-levels-david-cameron-farmers |archive-date=13 June 2016 }}</ref> Also, earlier proposals for a [[tidal barrage]] across the Parrett were reviewed, and new proposals were suggested to construct the barrage at an estimated cost of between £26,000 and £100,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bridgwater barrage in £100&nbsp;m Somerset flood plan |work=BBC News |date=5 March 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-26447005 |access-date=9 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520065358/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-26447005 |archive-date=20 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Views sought on Bridgwater tidal barrier on River Parrett |publisher=BBC News |date=15 September 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-37371230|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> Further planning and construction could take up to ten years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Environment Agency and Sedgemoor District Council set-up Bridgwater barrier workshop |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-and-sedgemoor-district-council-set-up-bridgwater-barrier-workshop |publisher=Environment Agency |access-date=9 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091346/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-and-sedgemoor-district-council-set-up-bridgwater-barrier-workshop |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Parrett Barrier |url=http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10028 |publisher=Sedgemoor Council |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075354/http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10028 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> The [[Inland Waterways Association]] has suggested that the barrage should include a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] to enable boats to travel to Bridgwater and potentially to reopen the link to the harbour and the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.<ref>{{cite journal|title=IWA West Country Branch Launches Tidal Barrier campaign|journal=Waterways|date=Summer 2015|issue=248|page=10}}</ref>

In January 2022 a £100m scheme to construct a [[Bridgwater tidal barrier|tidal barrier]] at Bridgwater was announced, planned to be in place by 2027.<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 January 2022|title=Bridgwater tidal barrier: One of England's biggest flood defences approved|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-60124245|access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref> It is to be built between Express Park and Chilton Trinity, with two vertical lift gates to allow the waterway to be blocked to stop water from flowing upstream during very high tides in the Bristol Channel.<ref>{{cite news |title=One of England's biggest flood defences gets £43m funding boost |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly4xwnlze7o.amp |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=5 February 2025 |language=en-gb}}</ref>