Bagheri‐Gavkosh et al. (2026) Hydrological effectiveness of multiple natural flood management interventions in rapid responses catchments

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Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-20
• Authors: Mehdi Bagheri‐Gavkosh, Alan K. Puttock, Diego Panici, Richard E. Brazier
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136050

Research Groups

• University of Bristol
• Centre for Hydrology and Climate Science (CHCS)
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Short Summary

This study investigates the hydrological effectiveness of Natural Flood Management (NFM) interventions in small, steep catchments using a systematic monitoring network and statistical analysis. The results show that well-integrated NFMs can deliver measurable flood-risk benefits by reducing peak flows and increasing lag times.

Objective

• To quantify the hydrological effectiveness of NFM interventions in small, rapidly responding catchments

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Small, steep catchments (5 sites) in south-west England
• Temporal Scale: 15–36 months monitoring period, capturing 662 flood events

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Control-Impact (CI) and Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) approaches
• Data sources: High-frequency hydrological monitoring network with water depth data loggers and rain gauges

Main Results

• Statistically significant attenuation of Event Peak Flow (EPF) across monitoring designs, with median absolute reductions of ∼0.04–0.58 m 3 s −1
• Median extensions of ∼7 to 50% in flood event lag times
• Seasonal performance varied according to antecedent moisture and hydraulic activation thresholds

Contributions

• Provides robust empirical evidence that well-integrated NFMs can deliver measurable flood-risk benefits in small, rapidly responding catchments
• Highlights the importance of catchment-specific design, long-term monitoring, and consideration of antecedent conditions to optimise NFM performance

Funding

• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - Grant Reference: NE/R016460/1
• University of Bristol - Internal funding for research staff and equipment

Citation

@article{BagheriGavkosh2026Hydrological,
  author = {Bagheri‐Gavkosh, Mehdi and Puttock, Alan K. and Panici, Diego and Brazier, Richard E.},
  title = {Hydrological effectiveness of multiple natural flood management interventions in rapid responses catchments},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136050},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136050}
}