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