Information about the Alkborough Flats tidal defence scheme in Lincolnshire.
Why does Alkborough need a flood scheme?
The Alkborough Flats are a site of 440 hectares of agricultural land on the south bank of the Humber Estuary, to the east of where the River Trent and the River Humber meet. The effects of climate change are expected to increase high tide levels in the Humber Estuary, which, if defences were left as they are, would increase the risk of flooding for the 300,000 people who live in the area.
What are we doing to reduce flood risk?
The Alkborough tidal defence scheme was opened in September 2006 and is one of the largest flood storage schemes in Europe. It allows flood water from the Humber estuary to spill out of the river during the highest tides to fill the low lying land. The site’s capacity is so great that it could reduce high tide levels in the upper estuary by as much as 150mm.
The scheme is part of our long-term strategy for managing flood risk on the Humber Estuary. It has been designed to:
- reduce the impact of sea level rise
- safeguard the internationally important nature conservation interest of the Humber by creating new wetland habitat
- provide a focus for education and access opportunities for local communities.
The Alkborough Flats tidal defence scheme is being used as a demonstration project to help promote new approaches to the impacts of sea level rise across Europe.
Next steps
We will continue to manage the site as an operational flood storage area and collect information about how the new wetland habitat is developing. This will be done in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, Natural England and Associated British Ports who, along with ourselves, are part-owners of the site.
We will also continue to invest in environmental enhancements on the site including creating scrapes for reedbeds and encouraging natural grassland areas.
Latest news
For more information
For more information on the Alkborough Flats tidal defence scheme please email:
To find out how to prepare yourself and your property for flooding visit our flood action web page.
