New data-based analysis tool for functioning of natural flood management measures reveals multi-site time-variable effectiveness

Abstract

Temporary storage areas (TSAs) are a type of Natural Flood Management measure or nature-based solution that can provide additional storage during flood events by intercepting and attenuating surface runoff. Pressures on land use and an increase in climate change induced storms means there is a need to create additional storage within multifunctional rural landscapes. Implementation of small-scale TSAs is slowly gaining momentum, but practitioners still require further evidence on their functioning during different storm events. Here we present the TSA Drainage Rate Analysis tool (TSA-DRA tool), a novel data-based mechanistic method that only requires rainfall and TSA water level data to describe individual TSA drainage rates. We developed and then used the TSA-DRA tool to perform a multi-site assessment of different TSAs, allowing comparisons of TSA functioning across different types or time-variable factors. TSA design and outlet were found to be the dominant controls on drainage rates when the feature is full. Meanwhile, time-variable differences in functioning were more evident at lower water levels, when soil infiltration was the main TSA outflow. Results from a modelling experiment using observed time-variable TSA drainage rates suggested that these can impact the TSAs flood mitigation effectiveness. Specifically, for a particular event, soil conditions of a TSA in NE Scotland were more effective during spring than winter in attenuating surface runoff. Understanding spatial and temporal differences in TSA drainage rates will help optimise existing and future TSA designs, ensuring small-scale headwater TSAs are successfully integrated within rural catchments to mitigate an increasing exposure to hydrological extremes.