Comprehensive Mapping and Data Solutions
Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility Map
GeoSmart’s Groundwater Flood Risk Assessments (GWFRA) are the first ever BGS groundwater flooding susceptibility map reports to demonstrate the risk to a site from groundwater flooding. This BGS groundwater flooding susceptibility map provides the most accurate method of screening and assessment at postcode level available.
What is Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility?
BGS has produced the first national dataset on the susceptibility of groundwater flooding, covering England, Wales and Scotland with this BGS groundwater flooding susceptibility map. Based on geological and hydrogeological information, the digital groundwater flooding map data can be used to identify areas where geological conditions could enable groundwater flooding to occur and where groundwater may come close to the ground surface.
What is groundwater?
Groundwater flooding is the emergence of groundwater at the ground surface. It can occur in a variety of geological settings including valleys in areas underlain by chalk, and in river valleys with thick deposits of alluvium and river gravels. Groundwater flooding happens in response to a combination of already high groundwater levels (usually during mid or late winter) and intense or unusually lengthy storm events. Groundwater flooding often lasts much longer than flooding caused by a river overflowing its banks. It may last many months and can cause significant social and economic disruption to the affected areas.