Restoring with risk: perceptions of reservoir flood risk in Whaley Bridge

Abstract

Understanding flood risk perceptions is critical for effective flood risk communication. In 2019, the failure of Toddbrook Reservoir's spillway resulted in a severe flood warning being issued in the Whaley Bridge area. In 2022, a large-scale restoration began at the reservoir. This paper describes perceptions of reservoir flood risk by the residents of Whaley Bridge and experts in environmental science and engineering. Results show that risk perception varies, with residents perceiving reservoir flood risk subjectively and experts perceiving risk objectively. With no previous risk communication, residents did not consider there to be a risk of reservoir failure; moreover, they have trust in Toddbrook's restoration. Experts emphasize that risk can never be fully eliminated, but that the probability of failure is extremely low. Some considered climate change as a contributing factor to the event and uncertainties in the risks it poses brings a requirement to improve and maintain existing dams. Findings have demonstrated the importance of improved risk communication and a necessity to improve flood risk maps for accessibility, awareness and to better account for probability of failure to avoid misinterpretation of risk. By identifying differing perceptions of risk between experts and residents, better reservoir risk communication can be achieved.