CASE STUDY OF A DRAINAGE BASIN: THE RIVER OUSE, YORKSHIRE

INTRODUCTION
All drainage basins can be viewed as a system with a series of inputs (energy, and
matter- water, in the form of precipitation, and rock material) translated within the basin
into a series of outputs (energy, water as stream flow, evaporation and transpiration and
sediment from the eroded rock material).

The River Ouse basin

The River Ouse is the principal drainage basin in Yorkshire. The Ouse is formed by the
confluence of the Ouse Gill Beck and the River Ure a few kilometres downstream of the
confluence of the rivers Swale and Ure. The Ouse flows southwards and is joined by the
Nidd just to the north of York and the River Foss in the city centre. The tributaries of the
Wharfe, Derwent, Aire, and Don all join the Ouse further downstream before it meets
the Trent to become the Humber Estuary. The catchment area of the entire Ouse basin
is 10,770 km².

PHYSICAL INFLUENCES ON THE RIVER OUSE

Relief
Some of the tributaries on the Ouse flow westwards, from the North York Moors and the
Wolds, through the Vale of Pickering, while another group flow south-eastwards from
the Pennines. The north and west Pennine section of the basin consists of a plateau
dissected by the step narrow valleys of the rivers Swale and Ure. Most of the upland
area is at an elevation of more than 600m, reaching a maximum height of 716m at the
summit of Great Shunner Fell. This fell separates the River Ure from those of the Swale
and exhibits the ‘step topography’ of parts of the Yorkshire Dales where there are
alternating sequences of shales, limestones and sandstones (Yoredale Rocks).
Swaledale and Wensleydale initially extend eastwards towards the Vale of York,
through hills, gradually descending in height; the rivers then turn southwards through
the Vale of York. The extensive Vale of York is a much flatter, low-lying area between
the Pennines to the West and the North York Moors and the Wolds to the east. South of
York, much of the Vale is no more than 20m above sea level. This relief background
clearly affects the flow of the rivers in the basin, higher velocities being fund in the upper
and middle stages, while the velocities slow considerably on reaching the Vale of York.

Geology and geomorphological background

The distinctive scenery of the Yorkshire Dales in upper Swaledale and Wensleydale is
produced by the Yoredale rocks and carboniferous limestone. The broad terraces in the
landscape are partly a result of geology and partly arise from the work of glaciers during
the ice age, when large blocks of limestone and sandstone, which were loosely laid on
the shales, were removed down to the next strong bed. Postglacial water washed away
weathered shales and undercut the terraces. These Yoredale terraces now give many
Dales hillsides a staircase appearance, with many waterfalls, like Hardraw Force. The
famous Aysgarth Falls are different, having formed where a step has retreated in the
limestone valley floor, where Wensleydale hangs above the glacially over-deepened
Bishopdale.
The rocks become progressively younger downriver from the Dales. Sandstones and
shales of the carboniferous millstone grit form an area of grit moorland in the
catchments of the Burn and Laver, tributaries of the Ure, and in the catchment of some
of the right bank tributaries of the River Swale.
The Permian sequence of magnesian limestone and marl units form a north-south ridge
of higher land on the western side of the Vale of York. The rocks dip gently eastwards
and are overlain by sandstone which forms the Vale of York. On the eastern side of the
Vale the sandstone is overlain by areas of mudstone and marls. The Jurassic
sandstone and limestones which form the North York Moors provide a westwards-facing
escarpment along much of the eastern side of the Vale of York.
The limestones are permeable and much precipitation infiltrates in the summer,
affecting the discharge of the upper sections of many tributaries, although this influence
is less obvious on the Ouse. In the winter, when water tables are higher, the effect of
the permeable rocks is diminished. Much of the remaining geology is relatively
impermeable.

Vegetation
The upland parts of the basin are largely moorland with heather, bracken, grasses and
scattered trees with extensive wooded areas on lower slopes. Interception is therefore
relatively low, although this has to be balanced by considering the nature of moorland
soils. Below the upper moorland, extensive areas are forested, and as much of the
woodland is coniferous, interception is high throughout the year. Areas of deciduous
woodland will have higher levels of interception during the summer when there is a
cover of leaves.
Much of the middle and particularly the lower stages of the basin are areas of farmland.
The landscape is consequently more open and interception levels are lower. The
degree of interception depends on the nature of farming. Pastoral activities are
associated with areas of grassed fields where interception is low; while interceptions is
areas of arable farming depends on the type of crop and time of the year.

Soils
The upland areas of the Pennines and Yorkshire Moors are dominated by peat soils
characteristic of moorlands. These have an important role, acting like a sponge in
summer, absorbing a great deal of precipitation and affecting discharge. However, the
effect is reduced from late autumn to early spring when wetter weather means that the
ground is largely saturated and so infiltration levels are reduced. The upper valleys are
typified by surface water gleys; these are seasonally waterlogged and are slowly
permeable. Downstream, the river valleys quickly become dominated by brown soils;
suitable for agriculture- this also applies to the Vale of York, where there are also areas
of drier sandier soils. It is important to consider the impact of farming on the soils and
the consequent implications for water movement in the basin. Areas of groundwater
gley extend southeasterly from Thirsk, around York to Selby. The maintenance of well-
drained soils, by such factors as healthy vegetation cover, extensive root systems, an
open soil structure and plentiful soil fauna, helps to reduce run-off in the basin.

Climate
The topography of the Ouse sections of the basin, as we have seen, is almost uniformly
flat. The annuals precipitation varies very little as a result, ranging between 540 and
640mm. Annual potential evaporation is approximately 520 to 540mm. However the
upland areas receiver much higher amounts of precipitation. High rainfall over the
tributaries makes the River Ouse very prone to flooding. The annual pattern of
precipitation is reflected in the regime of the River Ouse and its tributaries.

HUMAN INFLUENCE ON THE RIVER OUSE BASIN

Farming
Much of the catchment of the River Ouse and its tributaries is used for farming. The
upland areas like the Pennines and Yorkshire Moors are dominated by pastoral
activities, while the Vale of York has a mixture of arable and dairy farming.
There are large areas of moorland in the uplands, particularly to the west of the Ouse.
Moorland ‘gripping’ (grips are drains) was carried out extensively in the Swale, Ure and
Ouse catchments in the 1960s and 1970s, encouraged by grand aid from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). The consequence these works has been to
lower the water table and increase stream base flows near the drained areas. At the
catchment scale, drainage leads to larger peak flows downstream and a reduction in lag
times. Dry weather base flows tend to be higher, due to water reaching the channels
more quickly than would otherwise be the case.
Over-deepening of the grips has led to considerable erosion on some moors, an
increased silting of watercourses downstream. MAFF and English Nature have since
recognised these effects and have provided grant aid to block grips and thus reduce the
rate of surface run-off.
Although the management of the soils in the lower parts of the basin helped to increase
infiltration and reduce run-off, over many years’ agricultural drainage schemes and the
removal of wooded areas to create space for farming have contributed to increases in
the discharge of the Ouse and its tributaries.

Forestry
Afforestation varies within the entire basin. The Ure catchment has had more
plantations than the Swale, but there are no significant forest plantations in the Ouse
catchment. Forests increase interception and have the effect of reducing discharges. Of
the tributaries and the Ouse itself. This effect applies throughout the year as the species
planted are conifers, which are evergreen. It must be recognized that the effects of
forestry are temporarily variable, as the plantations change, particularly towards
maturity as felling and restocking takes place.
The current set-aside policy and farming recession has meant that the Environment
Agency has had the opportunity to influence land use to benefit and improve the
environment. Forestry schemes are grant-aided by the Forestry Commission, with the
Woodland Grant schemes encouraging the development of new woodlands. As these
woodland areas become more extensive, this will also have an impact on the basin,
affecting interception levels and reducing discharges.
There is little significant deforestation in the basin today, although once the Vale of York
was extensively forested in medieval times, with smaller areas of poorly drained land
and lowland heath. Agricultural intensification over the centuries has been largely
responsible for the loss of forest cover and the consequent reduction in interception with
the basin.

Urban developments and communications

New housing areas, out of town shopping centres, and industrial and infrastructural
developments all create impermeable surface within the basin. This turn leads to an
increase in surface run-off as infiltration is reduced. Drains carry much of this water into
local streams and rivers, which increased discharge and can contribute to a greater
frequency and magnitude of flooding. In recent years urban development has included
growth on the fringes of York, Ripon and other settlements in the basin, and motorway-
standard widening of the A1 road (which runs north-south in the west of the basin)
The Environment Agency can impose conditions on new developments and can raise
objections to a planning authority if it believes that a new development would have an
adverse effect on both the quantity and quality of water reaching rivers. New urban
development often incorporates balancing ponds or tanks that can be used to filter out
pollutants. They also store drainage water at times of high discharge in nearby rivers,
this water being released at a later dated when river levels are lower.
During the 1980s and 1990s there was much growth on the northern fringe of York, in
Clifton Moor. This has included a new business park with light industry and offices and
retail developments, and the creation of extensive areas of impermeable surfaces, such
as car parks. Balancing pounds have been incorporated into the business park to
handle excess surface water and any contaminants. The combined control of water
quantity and quality is called ‘sustainable urban drainage’.

York Flooding
Location – Located in the north of England, this drainage basin covers most of the
Yorkshire Dales and the Vale of York, the river eventually enters the north sea via the
Humber estuary.

Drainage Basin Influences - There are 8 major influences on the discharge of the river
Ouse. These could be transferred to any major drainage basin.

PHYSICAL FACTORS
1. Relief – the relief of the upper course of the river basin in the Yorkshire dales is very
steep. This promotes fast runoff from the slopes into the rivers and less soil infiltration.

2.Geology and Geomorphology – there are seams of Permian Limestone that allow
water through its structure quickly. There is also a substantial amount of clays that are
impermeable, this water cannot infiltrate the soil and hence gets into the river quicker –
reducing lag time.

3. Vegetation – At high altitudes in the upper basin the vegetation is heathers and moor
land that has low interception rates. There are areas of scattered coniferous trees with
better interception year round, while deciduous trees offer good interception until they
loose their leaves. Much of the lower basin is farmland offering little interception.
4. Soils – peat soils in the upper basin act like a sponge and absorb much of the
summer precipitation, lowering peak discharge. From late autumn these stores are full
and hence subsequent water finds its way into the tributaries.

5. Climate – The Ouse section of the basin is flat and receives about as much
precipitation (640mm per year) as is lost through evapo-transpiration (540mm per year).
The water that floods York hence comes from the Dales area which receives heavy
rainfall, which ends up in York via the Swale, Ure and Nidd tributaries.

HUMAN FACTORS
6.Farming – Upland areas are used for pastoral farming – the grasses the cattle etc
feed upon offer little interception. Drainage of the uplands also speeds water into
tributaries. Arable farming on the Vale of York has removed some trees and leaves
fields exposed with no interception when crops are harvested.

7.Forestry - There has been some afforestation in the Ure catchment area.
8. Urban Developments – New housing areas, out of town shopping areas, industrial
areas, the widening of the A1 have all created impermeable surfaces and drains carry
storm water quickly and directly into the river Ouse. This has happened extensively to
the North of York on Clifton moor, this could contribute to a rise in discharges.

Clifton Ings – a flood washlands scheme, the land here is surrounded by

embankments and is allowed to flood to save the city of York, it can hold 2.3million
cubic meters of water.

Leeman road – Embankments have been built here from residue from the sugar beet
factory. They are quite far away from the rivers edge to increase the channel capacity
(it can thus hold more water).

Almery terrace – Concrete floodwalls with rubber sealed gates protect these houses.
The walls are directly in front of the housing and offer just a little protection.

River channelisation - the River Ouse has been straightened and lined so that water
moves through it efficiently

The General Accident offices – the bottom floor is set aside for car parking so that
nothing valuable is lost during a flood. This is a planning measure to limit flood
damage.

Foss Barrier – This barrier stops the River Ouse water backing up the river Foss (a
tributary) and causing damage to some of York's most historical buildings. Water from
the Foss is pumped into the river Ouse.
ARE THESE SCHEMES EFFECTIVE?
In November 2000 for example, despite continued improvements to York’s flood
defenses, part of the central area of the city was flooded after a series of low pressure
systems brought heavy rain to the north east and the worst flooding in Britain for 50
years.
3,000 York residents had to be evacuated from their homes, and the army was brought
in to help. The big difference about this flood was that it affected areas previously
thought to be at little risk.
Ironically, only a month earlier York had hosted the first National Flood Forum, which
aimed to give homes and businesses practical advice about defending property from
flooding. In 2000 the floods broke previous records for flooding in York – in 1982 waters
had risen to 16 feet 7 inches above normal. Due to its complex geography and the
historic importance of the city, attempts to defend York against floods continue. So far
this has cost approximately £10 million.
The flooding was caused when several depressions swept across Northern Britain
bringing lots of rain (35-40mm in 24 hours), this occurred in early November 2000. This
had huge social impacts, 3000 people were evacuated, and the army had to be called
in.
The River Ouse was 4.8 m above normal level and this caused York race course to be
completely flooded - No racing at the race course! The economy was also hard hit, one
insurance company alone paid out £12.5 million in flood damage claims between 2000
and 2010 in York. In 800 claims, at an average of £25,000 per flooded property. The
flooding also cost the City of York Council £1.3m with protecting properties by sandbags
and other means was the biggest single expense, at £394,000. Over £100,000 was paid
to the fire service, and £41,000 to the army for the help they provided. The council has
been able to reclaim a almost half the total bill from the government but the city still had
to find £772,000 from its own resources. There was also £10 million in lost income
because it led to 200,000 fewer visitors coming to York, plus the economic
consequences effects on the Selby to York railway line.
John Prescott pledged a new national recovery team to help flood victims, with the
promise of £51m extra funding for flood defences and warning systems. Mr Prescott
added that he had asked insurance companies to speed up payments. Flood defences
in the historic walled city were shored up with 15,000 sandbags in a huge weekend
operation involving the emergency services, army and local people, it was insufficient
for large areas of the town however. Another response was to open two rest centres in
the city for flood victims and 65,000 sand bags were put into place by 500 army
personnel.

YORK BREATHES SIGH OF RELIEF

Floods in York
Shipping out: Police say lives could be at risk if residents stay
The historic city of York remains on flood alert after the river Ouse reached its highest levels
since records began.
But residents of the city breathed a sigh of relief as sandbagged barriers prevent further flooding.

The river reached a peak of 17ft 8ins (5.3m) above normal at 0330 GMT on Saturday, one inch
higher than the record set in 1625.
The Army helped to evacuate 3,000 residents but York City Council's worst fears seem to have
been averted.

Britain's flooding crisis has prompted Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to call an emergency
meeting with senior government ministers on Saturday morning to discuss flood measures.

The Environment Agency said continuous efforts by the armed forces, rescue workers and
helpers to shore up the city's flood wall defences with sandbags appeared to be working.

A spokesman said the halt in the rising river offered residents temporary respite over the
weekend. But more storms are forecast for the next three days.
They are frustrated, a bit cheesed off but fairly resigned to it.
Thousands of homes have now been swamped across Britain and the torrent of water is on the
same scale as the "Great Floods" of 1947, said the Environment Agency.
Mr Prescott viewed some of the devastation first hand when met key flood defence workers at
the Tewkesbury base of the Environment Agency on the River Severn on Friday.
The Midlands and the South East are also continuing to suffer, and other parts of flood-hit
Britain are preparing for a further deluge over the weekend.
The Environment Agency has issued 13 severe flood warnings, with the situation expected to get
worse into next week due to another 48 hours of heavy rain and downpours.
A further 145 flood warnings and 150 flood watches remain in force across England and Wales.
Insurance rating agency Standard and Poor has predicted the cost of the ongoing floods and
storms could reach more than £1bn.
Hundreds of Bonfire Night events have been cancelled because of the appalling weather.
Inspector Tim Madgwick, who was co-ordinating the evacuation of 750 homes in York said the
majority of people were choosing to leave.
Water filled the cellars of the Bishops' Palace, near York
He said: "They are frustrated, a bit cheesed off but fairly resigned to it."
York built defences after severe flooding in 1982, but the water levels in the city are now even
higher.
The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said his heart went out to those who had been hit by
the floods and praised the work of the emergency services.
He said: "Such neighbourly and community spirit is certainly a shining light as the country's
infrastructure is seriously challenged."
'This is worse than 1982'
Barry Helstrip, who has lived near the river for 23 years, moved his furniture from downstairs
and sent his family to stay with relatives.
He said: "I never thought I would see anything like this again. It was bad in 1982 but it's worse
than that now."
Pet Rescue: A cat is taken from a flooded house near York
Other badly affected areas across the country include the River Severn from Bewdley through
Tewkesbury to Gloucester
In Shrewsbury, Bewdley and Worcester, currents of up to 20mph swept billions of gallons of
water into homes and businesses.
Forecasters say they believe most of Britain will have less rain in the next 48 hours but the
downpours will return on Sunday.
"Low pressure coming in from the Atlantic late on Sunday looks set to bring further wind and
rain across England and Wales on Monday and Tuesday," said a spokesman for the London
Weather Centre.
But in the Dover area, 10,000 households were told there is no longer any need to boil their
water.
The Folkestone and Dover water company said water supplies were no longer contaminated with
bacteria spread by flooding.

YORK COUNTS COST OF 2000 FLOOD

The River Ouse burst its banks flooding part of the center of York
The 2000 floods were the worst in York since records began
Dealing with the serious floods in York in the autumn of 2000 cost the City of York Council
£1.3m, it has emerged.
Protecting properties by sandbags and other means was the biggest single expense, at £394,000.
Over £100,000 was paid to the fire service, and £41,000 to the army for the help they provided.
The council has been able to reclaim an almost half the total bill from the government. But the
city still had to find £772,000 from its own resources.
Disaster situation
Details about the flood costs come in the same week as a report published by the York Flood
Scrutiny Panel which looked into how the problems in 2000 were dealt with.
It concluded that residents in some areas of the city were let down by the very agencies that
should have protected them.
The 2000 floods were the worst in York since records began and the River Ouse reached a height
of 17ft 8.5ins above its normal summer level.
Around 40 people were moved from their homes and two rest centers were opened in the city for
flood victims.