Natural Flood Management - River Calder, Colne and Upper Aire

Our £1.7 million Leeds City Region Growth Deal investment into the Growing Resilience Natural Flood Management programme will introduce a range of practical measures to mimic natural flood protection, slowing the flow of water before it reaches urban areas downstream.

Works are planned at multiple locations in the Upper Aire, Colne and Calder river catchments, including sites in the Wessenden Valley (Kirklees), as well as Gorpley Reservoir and Hardcastle Crags (Calderdale). 

In addition to providing long-term benefits for urban centres downstream – including reducing the risk of flooding to more than 1,000 homes and 200 business units – the programme will also increase biodiversity and boost local recreation and tourism schemes. 

The programme is being developed by the White Rose Forest Partnership in close co-ordination with local authorities, the Environment Agency and the Aire and Calder Catchment Partnership. Yorkshire Water, National Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, The Source partnership and the Woodland Trust are all playing leading roles in design and delivery planning. 

Delivery of the works in the Upper Aire catchment are being led by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and the National Trust is the lead agency for the works to the Colne and Calder catchments. Yorkshire Water and the Woodland Trust are all playing key roles in delivery.

Project overview