North West England and South West Scotland - November 2009 flooding

The British Geological Survey took to the air on 20 November 2009 in the aftermath of the flooding, which devastated homes and businesses in the North West England and South West Scotland, to find out how modern flooding compares to ancient flood areas. BGS photographer Fergus MacTaggart observed flooding from 600m (2000 ft) as he flew over the worst affected areas around Cockermouth, Lockerbie, Dumfries and Workington.

Why do geological maps reflect areas prone to flooding?

Areas which have been flooded in the past have deposits of clay, silt and sand left by the flood water. These areas are called floodplains and coastal plains and can be extracted from geological maps indicating areas with a potential to flood in the future.

  • More photographs and information on geology and flooding

Cockermouth

The floodplain of the River Derwent near Papcastle, Cockermouth River Derwent flooding, Cockermouth Flood waters near Papcastle, west Cockermouth The River Derwent at Cockermouth The River Derwent at Cockermouth Papcastle roundabout, West of Cockermouth Tight meander of the River Derwent at Great Clifton, 4 kms upstream from Workington, 10 kms downstream from Cockermouth The floodplain of the River Derwent near Papcastle, Cockermouth The floodplain of the River Derwent near Papcastle, Cockermouth
The floodplain of the River Derwent near Papcastle, Cockermouth

The River Annan at Shillahill Bridge, A709, WSW of Lockerbie

The River Annan at Shillahill Bridge, A709, WSW of Lockerbie Flooding around Millhill Farm looking south-east with Turnmuir Mill and Turnmuir Cottages in the background. The River Annan at Shillahill Bridge, A709, WSW of Lockerbie River Annan at Shillihill Bridge near Lockerbie Flooding of the River Annan created islands of the villages of Greenhill on the left and Heck on the right Flooding of the River Annan created islands of the villages of Greenhill on the left and Heck on the right The River Annan at Shillahill Bridge, A709, WSW of Lockerbie The River Annan at Shillahill Bridge, A709, WSW of Lockerbie The River Annan at Shillahill Bridge, A709, WSW of Lockerbie

Dumfries

River Nith flooding, Dumfries Flooding in central Dumfries Flooding in central Dumfries Flooding in central Dumfries River Nith flooding, Dumfries

The Geological Indicators of Flooding Team have compared photographs from the flight with the new BGS Geological Indicators of Flooding Map. A comparison of the photograph and geological maps shows a correlation between areas which have flooded and areas marked as alluvial deposits (with a potential to flood).

Flood waters near Papcastle, west Cockermouth

Flood waters near Papcastle, west Cockermouth - as shown by the BGS Geological Indicators of Flooding Map.

Flooding of the River Nith in Dumfries.

Flooding of the River Nith in Dumfries - as shown by the BGS Geological Indicators of Flooding Map.

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