Glossary of terms
ADA: Association of Drainage Authorities
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP): A Biodiversity Action Plan provides a framework for habitat and species conservation, both highlighting threats and issues, and encouraging methods of best practice
Berm: A horizontal shelf cut into an embankment to break the continuity of a long slope to reduce erosion and provide beneficial habitat
Brownfield site: A redevelopment site, usually within an urban area
Catchment: The area adjacent to a watercourse from which water drains into it
Control Structure: A device to limit the flow of water Gravity System: A drainage system whereby flow is caused by the action of gravity
Culvert: A closed conduit or structure used to convey water through an obstruction for example an embankment or roadway.
DEFRA: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affrairs
Dredge: The deepening of a watercourse through the removal of sediment or deposited material
GIS: Geographical Information System
Greenfield site: A new development, usually at the edge of an urban area
Headwall: A retaining wall placed either end of a pipe or culvert
IDB: Internal Drainage Board
Land Drainage Act: The Land Drainage Act was passed in 1991 and requires that watercourses are maintained by their owner so that the free flow of water is not impeded
Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA): The body responsible for developing, maintaining, applying and monitoring a strategy for local flood risk management in its area
(For more information on the role of LLFAs please see DEFRA’s Local Authority Factsheet http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/legislation/la-roles/)
Outfall: The point where water discharges from a pipe, channel, or other conduit
Pile: A long, slender structure driven into a bank to improve its support and stability
Right to Accretion: A right to material deposited by the watercourse
Right to Boomage: A right of entry onto riperian land for the purpose of fastening of booms and boom sticks
Riperian: Anything connected with, or adjacent to a watercourse
Runoff: Water from precipitation that flows off a surface to reach a drain or sewer
Screen: A device used to retain or remove solids flowing in drains
Sluice: A sliding gate or door, which controls the flow of water (i.e. flow when the gate is open, no flow when the gate is closed)
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): Drainage techniques believed to be environmentally beneficial or causing little or no long-term detrimental impact
Weed Cutting: The process of removing weed from the channel
Weir: An overflow structure across a channel used to control upstream surface levels, reduce erosion or divert flow