UK: Natural flood risk defences to protect rural community

Farmers in the Denbighshire hills are using leaky log dams and hedge-planting to help prevent devastating floods in north Wales.

Simple measures, including hedge restoration and woodland creation, are being used to hold back surges of water that can cause flooding.

The initiative is designed to help protect Ruthin and St Asaph from future flooding caused by torrential rain.

The Welsh Government-funded scheme is the first of its kind in the region.

It is being overseen by the rural regeneration organisation Cadwyn Clwyd, which works closely with farmers, and will spend £330,000 on an upland catchment area of the River Clwyd.

A similar amount, managed separately by Coed Cymru, is earmarked for the River Elwy which flows through St Asaph.

Cadwyn Clwyd officials said the natural flood defences will also provide shelter for livestock, aid livestock management and reduce soil erosion.

Research suggests woodlands and hedges can increase soil infiltration rates by more than 60 times when compared to pastureland.

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