Timing is Everything: How Seasons Impact Your Flood Risk Survey (and Your Deadline)

The world of flood modeling demands efficiency. Aegaea has partnered with Storm Geomatics to provide insights on how seasonality affects data collection, safety considerations, and project delivery timelines. The partnership aims to help stakeholders obtain accurate information promptly, thereby accelerating results and improving overall project efficiency.

The “Health Check” of a Hydraulic Model

Every project begins with thorough data review and information compilation before site visits occur. Teams examine GIS workspaces and open-source platforms to determine whether existing models are available for the location.

Following data collection, a diagnosis and health assessment takes place, addressing three critical questions:

• Model credibility and age of construction
• Whether landscape changes have occurred, including new structures or developments
• Current standards compliance

According to Environment Agency guidance, hydrology for models exceeding five years old should be updated to contemporary standards. Significant landscape changes or model extensions typically necessitate new topographic or channel surveys for accurate profile capture.

Two Seasons and Associated Constraints

Two major seasonal factors can compromise project schedules:

High Water Levels (Winter Problem): Flooded rivers and watercourses prevent accurate bank profile capture. Survey teams cannot safely or accurately profile channels and banks until water levels recede sufficiently.

Vegetation (Summer Problem): Dense overgrowth creates barriers preventing channel access. Work must pause until vegetation removal occurs, introducing unexpected timeline delays and expenses.

The Solution: The Optimum Survey Calendar

Storm Geomatics has developed a calendar identifying optimal survey periods and problematic months. Future articles will explore this resource in greater detail.

Plan B: Maintaining Progress During Survey Delays

When surveys encounter obstacles, Aegaea maintains project momentum through alternative approaches:

• Satellite Remote Sensed Data: Satellite information builds wider 2D floodplain domains while LiDAR data undergoes filtering and verification
• Hydrology First: Hydrological calculations proceed during survey sourcing delays
• Seamless Integration: Storm Geomatics delivers files in formats compatible with modeling software, minimizing additional delays

Storm Geomatics also provides photographs documenting significant assets and inflows potentially absent from standard mapping sources, ensuring comprehensive data upon delivery.

Conclusion

Strategic planning during optimal survey windows prevents seasonal delays from affecting project deadlines. Contact Aegaea for a complimentary expert assessment to begin your project’s health evaluation.