The IMMERSE project focuses on international cooperation to address these challenges and threats, collectively referred to as “pressures”. A three-step approach is used:
- pressures are investigated and potential solutions, or measures, are explored
- measures are assessed, tested, and recommendations are provided
- preparations are made to implement measures.
Flood risk management in the Humber needs to be designed and implemented to provide cost effective, longer-term resilience to flooding without compromising ecosystems and causing damage to natural habitats along the estuary. A satisfactory solution requires co-development with estuary stakeholders.
The University of Hull (UoH) has engaged with the Environment Agency, 12 local authorities and key stakeholders including Associated British Ports (ABP), Natural England and Internal Drainage Boards, to develop the Humber 2100+ flood risk strategy. This strategy aims to simultaneously address tidal flood risk while reinforcing the long-term ambition for a prosperous Humber, which is a safe and sustainable place to live, work and visit.
To do this, we have collected dozens of water quality samples exploring how salinity and suspended sediment concentrations vary seasonally under different river and tidal drivers, undertaken hundreds of numerical modelling simulations exploring the impact of different measures on flood risk in the Humber and extracted population and economic data from the Office of National Statistics to assess the economic damages that could be avoided, both now and in the future.