Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme

Welcome!

Established in 2021 as a first step in delivering the long-term vision set out in the UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap (UKFHR), the Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme (FHIP) is focused on creating the foundations needed for sustained improvement. Over six years and across 16 projects, we've brought modern science closer to operational practice and began building the evidence, capability and partnerships required to support our future needs.

A list of key achievements from our data, methods and ways of working projects

As FHIP is now nearing the end, we are sharing our learning, insights and recommendations so others can use them, build on them and shape what comes next.


Background - why was FHIP needed?

Flood hydrology sits at the heart of everything we do to protect communities from flood risk. It underpins the forecasts and warnings that keep people safe, the evidence behind investment decisions, and the national risk products we share with partners and the public.

We’re on a mission to improve the way we analyse flood hydrology to effectively manage flood risk considering our changing climate and bring the latest science into operation.

Programme objectives

A list of programme objectives 

Our approach

We have brought together specialists from across the Environment Agency, the UK nations, academia and the wider flood hydrology community.

Benefits

We are implementing some actions from the UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap, and contributing to the FCERM Strategy, EA 2025 and the 25Year Environment Plan. Our work will have multiple benefits, including:

A list of benefits

Timeline

Time line showing phase 1 (programme design and evidence building) taking place in years 1 to 2, Phase 2 (Strengthening foundations) taking place from years 2 to 5, and Phase 3 (Embedding new methods and practices, including operational change) taking place in Years 5 and 6

Our Team

The Programme Management team includes the Programme Executive - Selena Peters, Programme Manager - Caroline Brannon, Lead Hydrologist - Anita Asadullah, and Communications and Engagement Specialist - Sarah Bazley.

Each project has a dedicated Project Manager, Lead Hydrologist and Senior User. You can find out who they are on each project page.

10 members of the Flood Hydrology Improvements team standing in line for a photo.

Welcome!

Established in 2021 as a first step in delivering the long-term vision set out in the UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap (UKFHR), the Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme (FHIP) is focused on creating the foundations needed for sustained improvement. Over six years and across 16 projects, we've brought modern science closer to operational practice and began building the evidence, capability and partnerships required to support our future needs.

A list of key achievements from our data, methods and ways of working projects

As FHIP is now nearing the end, we are sharing our learning, insights and recommendations so others can use them, build on them and shape what comes next.


Background - why was FHIP needed?

Flood hydrology sits at the heart of everything we do to protect communities from flood risk. It underpins the forecasts and warnings that keep people safe, the evidence behind investment decisions, and the national risk products we share with partners and the public.

We’re on a mission to improve the way we analyse flood hydrology to effectively manage flood risk considering our changing climate and bring the latest science into operation.

Programme objectives

A list of programme objectives 

Our approach

We have brought together specialists from across the Environment Agency, the UK nations, academia and the wider flood hydrology community.

Benefits

We are implementing some actions from the UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap, and contributing to the FCERM Strategy, EA 2025 and the 25Year Environment Plan. Our work will have multiple benefits, including:

A list of benefits

Timeline

Time line showing phase 1 (programme design and evidence building) taking place in years 1 to 2, Phase 2 (Strengthening foundations) taking place from years 2 to 5, and Phase 3 (Embedding new methods and practices, including operational change) taking place in Years 5 and 6

Our Team

The Programme Management team includes the Programme Executive - Selena Peters, Programme Manager - Caroline Brannon, Lead Hydrologist - Anita Asadullah, and Communications and Engagement Specialist - Sarah Bazley.

Each project has a dedicated Project Manager, Lead Hydrologist and Senior User. You can find out who they are on each project page.

10 members of the Flood Hydrology Improvements team standing in line for a photo.

  • New reports available!

    Key findings and insights from hydrometric data rescue.

    This report brings together the key findings and insights from hydrometric data rescue activities, demonstrating how safeguarding historic monitoring records can improve the evidence base for flood risk management, water resources and environmental decision-making.

    https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/21152/widgets/157928/documents/111013

    A practical guide to hydrometric data rescue.
    Historical river level and flow records provide an invaluable evidence base for understanding floods, droughts and environmental change. Many of these records are still held in paper and legacy formats, making preservation increasingly important.
    Our new guide brings together practical lessons from our recent data rescue projects and wider international experience to help organisations preserve, digitise and recover historical hydrological records.

    https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/21152/widgets/157829/documents/110981

    Do let us know what you think...

    Key findings and insights from hydrometric data rescue.

    This report brings together the key findings and insights from hydrometric data rescue activities, demonstrating how safeguarding historic monitoring records can improve the evidence base for flood risk management, water resources and environmental decision-making.

    https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/21152/widgets/157928/documents/111013

    A practical guide to hydrometric data rescue.
    Historical river level and flow records provide an invaluable evidence base for understanding floods, droughts and environmental change. Many of these records are still held in paper and legacy formats, making preservation increasingly important.
    Our new guide brings together practical lessons from our recent data rescue projects and wider international experience to help organisations preserve, digitise and recover historical hydrological records.

    https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/21152/widgets/157829/documents/110981

    Do let us know what you think...

  • FHIP will be presenting at EGU 2025

    Anita Asadullah (Lead Hydrologist) and Chris Skinner (Senior Hydrologist) will be presenting at this years European Geoscience Union General Assembly - Europe's largest gathering of geoscientists.

    Find out how to join them: Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme at EGU



    Anita Asadullah (Lead Hydrologist) and Chris Skinner (Senior Hydrologist) will be presenting at this years European Geoscience Union General Assembly - Europe's largest gathering of geoscientists.

    Find out how to join them: Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme at EGU



  • FHIP & UK Hydrology Roadmap used as a case study in FCERM research outcomes & impact collection

    We're really pleased to be included as a case study helping to highlight how research is being used to improve flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) by connecting people who have operational problems with researchers who have solutions.

    You can read the case study using this link: Flood Hydrology Roadmap - Case study - GOV.UK


    We're really pleased to be included as a case study helping to highlight how research is being used to improve flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) by connecting people who have operational problems with researchers who have solutions.

    You can read the case study using this link: Flood Hydrology Roadmap - Case study - GOV.UK


  • FHIP features in the latest issue of the Flood Industry Magazine

    supporting image

    Check out the feature about FHIP in the latest issue of the Flood Industry Magazine (page 24) - followed by an article on the Flood Hydrology Roadmap (page 25)

    You can read the article using this link: Flood Industry Issue 5

    Quote from the Flood Magazine Editors: "... we're also delving into the engine room of our industry with a look at the Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme (FHIP). This vital work behind the scenes is all about making sure our understanding of flood risk is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. It’s the science that underpins everything we do, so

    Check out the feature about FHIP in the latest issue of the Flood Industry Magazine (page 24) - followed by an article on the Flood Hydrology Roadmap (page 25)

    You can read the article using this link: Flood Industry Issue 5

    Quote from the Flood Magazine Editors: "... we're also delving into the engine room of our industry with a look at the Flood Hydrology Improvements Programme (FHIP). This vital work behind the scenes is all about making sure our understanding of flood risk is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. It’s the science that underpins everything we do, so these advancements are crucial".



Page last updated: 17 Sep 2026, 03:40 PM