In order for the Agency to fulfil obligations under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Eel Regulations, fish access facilities are being installed in tidal flaps at many sites in the lower reaches of rivers to allow the migration of elver, eel and other species between the main river or estuary and incoming tributaries and drains.

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BBC says 'Good management of waterways is an essential part of the fight against some of the extreme weather the UK has suffered in past years. In 2012 the country saw record levels of rainfall in some areas with about 8,000 homes flooded, and yet earlier in the year hosepipe bans followed a period of drought.'

Meteorologists are warning that extremes of weather may increase as global temperatures slowly rise, and the Environment Agency has pointed out that modelling suggests that a changing climate could reduce some summer river flows by up to 80% in the next 40 years.

LIsten to the slie show to hear Dr Dylan Bright, of the Westcountry Rivers Trust, talking about a three-year, £4m project of restoration work on river catchments across the South West of England and the ways in which this can help stabilise the country's water supply.

Why are planners allowing homes to be erected in the floodplain? Is the UK government doing enough to protect people from flooding? An investigative BBC Radio 4 programme looks at key flood events from 2012 and interviews three  flood management experts from the Environment Agency.

Image from BBC website

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