Flooding in Crondall
These pages are divided in to the following sections:-
- Overview
- Crondall Water Situation (guide to the key issues)
- Getting More Information
- Emergency Actions and Incident Response
- Flooding FAQs
Disclaimer – sadly everyone needs a good disclaimer these days and a serious issue such as flooding is no exception. The information contained in these pages is taken from various official guides and other sources, it includes local (non-expert) interpretation. Where possible and practical, links of references are made to the original sources such that you can check those in detail. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as specific or expert advice, your specific and local situation may have other factors that are not addressed here. Put simply: we do our best, but we’re not experts so you can’t rely on these web pages in any legal sense. We are happy to include corrections, expansions and/or caveats where people are kind enough to point these out.
Overview
These pages have been created by Crondall Parish Council to inform residents about the rather wide-ranging and complex subject of flooding in the village. As you will see there are very different causes of occasional flooding and such diverse causes need different mitigation measures. These pages will also tell you about CFAG (Crondall Flood Action Group) and the work of concerned residents to be proactive in reducing risks. We also present some useful sources of local data to help you make your own judgements as necessary and “plan for the worst, but hope for the best”!
The wider Parish
This overview on flooding issues in Crondall Parish is focussed on the village of Crondall, given the historic nature and frequency of flooding there. Across the wider Parish, there are other flood issues, some of which will have a bearing on the village. But in many cases the impact of flooding in the fields is minimal on people and property, although clearly some of our local farmers will have problems and genuine cost implications due to floods.
The village of Crondall sits within a wide rain catchment “bowl” stretching from Horsedown Common and Well in Crondall_rain_catchment_thumb the West to Dippenhall and Beacon Hill in the East. It comprises 19km2, with a variety of drainage systems all channelling water down into the valley floor (running through the village) and into the River Hart. It is the River Hart that drains this whole area – hence the need to ensure it operates effectively and efficiently.
Water reaches the river through three main routes:-
- Overland flows including run-off from hard-standings and roads
- Drainage channels that collect water from the landscape and channel it into the river (especially on the eastern side of the village)
- Ground water – this percolates through the soil in the upland areas and re-appears as springs in the valley (ie. the village) – hence the multitude of wells in the village area.
History
Crondall Village has suffered numerous flood events over the years. Each event has been due to a variety of causes, either linked to the water drainage routes (above) or over-filling of the sewer system. While there are links between these, the causes, risks, mitigations and impacts are generally different.
Playing your part
Fundamentally: everyone needs to play their part to minimise risks, as the results of poor practice in one area are often manifested through the inundation of someone else’s lounge carpet and other unpleasant consequences!
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