Flood Relief Zone

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of the National Flood Policy in Ireland through our key strategic areas of Prevention, Protection and Preparedness both now, and considering how the climate may change into the future.

Prevention is aimed at avoiding or removing a flood risk by avoiding building in vulnerable areas that are prone to flooding and promoting sustainable development through our Planning Guidelines for Flood Risk Management. Preparedness also uses Natural Flood Risk Management Measures and sustainable urban drainage systems and adaptation planning to assist in this process.

Protection is aimed at reducing the likelihood and/or severity of flood events. These measures, typically requiring physical works can reduce the risk in a range of ways, such as by defending areas at risk by reducing or diverting the peak flood flows, or by reducing flood levels. OPW have a series of major flood defence schemes, minor works schemes and arterial drainage schemes all over Ireland that provide protection.

Preparedness involves taking actions and measures to reduce the consequences of flooding and reduce the risk to people and of damage to property and other assets by making sure that people and communities are resilient to flood events. This means preparing for the risk of flooding, knowing when floods are going to occur and, taking appropriate actions immediately before, during and after a flood. Elements of preparedness include, Flood Forecasting and Warning, Emergency Response Planning, Individual Property Protection and community resilience.

We built this LEGO catchment model to demonstrate the water cycle and how water moves through the atmosphere eventually falling as rain which flows from the hills, through rivers and towns, and out to sea. It helps explain how flooding can happen and demonstrates the key areas of Prevention, Protection and Preparedness in an interactive way.

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What Does the Model Show?

✅ The Green Areas – These are the hills, forests, and countryside where rivers begin.

✅ The Blue Areas – These are the rivers and the darker blue is the sea. Water flows from the hills, down the catchment through towns, and finally to the sea.

✅ The LEGO City – The city was at risk of flooding but you’ll see that prevention and protection elements work to reduce the risk of flooding and protect the city when there are heavy rains or storms.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – these utilise natural processes to reduce flood impacts on a catchment wide basis. They work by slowing and storing water in the catchment and can provide a range of environmental benefits including improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity enhancements. They can also help mitigate the impacts of climate change independently or in combination with other measures. Some examples include

✅ Restoring bogs and wetlands – Natural systems can filter pollutants from runoff, improve water quality and reduce the impacts of flood water. By managing vegetation and soil cover NbS can reduce erosion.

✅ Reforestation and afforestation – Planting trees and restoring forests helps intercept rainfall, reduce runoff and enhance water infiltration and improve the soil structure.

✅ Peatland and wetland restoration – Natural systems can help with the storage and filtering of pollutants from runoff. They improve water quality and reduce the impacts of flood water. By managing vegetation and soil cover NbS can reduce erosion.

✅ River Restoration and re-meandering – restoring natural river meanders and floodplains can slow down water flow, reduce erosion and create space for floodwaters.

✅ Leaky Dams (trees arranged across the river) – These barriers can slow down water flow, reduce erosion, and allow more water to infiltrate into the soil. They let some water through but hold some back like a small dam.

✅ Embankment Setbacks – Moving flood embankments further inland creates space for floodwaters, reduces flood height and allows for the restoration of natural floodplain ecosystems.

✅ Improving soil cover with plants – Plant cover reduces soil erosion, increases water infiltration and helps to filter pollutants from runoff.

Protection Measures – these typically involve physical works and defend areas at risk of flooding.

✅ Hard Defences – Flood walls are sometimes required to protect towns and villages.

✅ Embankments - Raised earthen structures can also be used to protect towns and villages where there is more space available.

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How Does the Demo Work?

💧 We pour water in at the upstream end of the model in the hills.

🌊 Watch how the water flows down the river, through the town and into the sea.

🌳 See how the Nature-based Solutions help slow the water down when they are implemented.

▐ Where appropriate walls and embankments are used to defend areas at risk of flooding.

♻ We collect the water at the downstream end of the cycle and use it again — no waste!

Why Is This Important?

OPW are working nationwide to enhance resilience against flood risk and reduce impacts of flooding now and into the future, by integrating climate adaption strategies and measures that reduce vulnerability, protect communities, and promote sustainable flood risk management.

Flooding can significantly impact various aspects of life in Ireland, including human health, property, critical infrastructure and the environment. The OPW is actively involved in managing flood risk in Ireland through prevention, protection and preparedness measures both now, and considering how the climate might change into the future.

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Want to Learn More?

Learn more about how the Office of Public Works (OPW) helps protect people and places from floods by building defences and working with nature at www.floodinfo.ie.

For more details about this model, scan the QR code.

Flood Risk is a big challenge — but together, we can build solutions!