Whatever floats your boat – new crafty way to monitor Shropshire floodwaters
If you come across someone on the banks of the River Severn operating a big yellow remote-controlled boat, they might not be playing around, but keeping us safe from floods.
What might at first be dismissed as a toy is actually the Shropshire Environment Agency's ultrasound-emitting ARC-Boat, which uses cutting edge technology to measure the speed and depth of water.
It is hoped the hi-tech boat will help the agency issue quicker flood warning information on the Severn, Teme and Tern rivers.
Officer Rob Davies of the Environment Agency was involved in the development of the boats and quickly identified its ability to assist in the flood monitoring process.
The first ARC-Boat was used on the Thames in 2011.
"The boats are remote controlled and measure the speed and depth of the water to enable it to calculate river flow," he said.
"They allow us to easily and safely reach places where humans can't, such as under bridges or during high-flows or floods.
"Ultra-sound pulses, similar to that used to scan pregnant women, are used to collect important data from the river.
"This data helps us to monitor flows in the river which in turn helps our flood and water teams assess what action is required, for example, to determine where defences may be required."
In Shropshire, the boat will be used to measure flows at the Severn/Vyrnwy confluence to improve flood warning models.
During times of high river levels, the boat may be seen at sites along the River Severn including Montford, Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.
It will also be used to survey the river beds of the Severn, Teme and Tern and send important information to the Environment Agency teams.
Mr Davies said: "These boats will enable us to measure a full range of flows at sites like Onibury on the River Onny near Ludlow.
"These measurements are really important as it gives us the data we need to give more accurate and quicker flood warnings to local communities."
The boats are manufactured by HR Wallingford in Oxfordshire and have been supplied to clients around the world including Canada, New Zealand, France, Azerbaijan.
The Environment Agency already has about 30 in operation, but this one is special as it is the 50th boat to be produced.
Keith Powell from HR Wallingford said: "Delivery of ARC-Boat number 50 is an important milestone for us.
"Handing it over to one of the Environment Agency's teams is particularly satisfying, as their staff played an important role in its development. With the ARC-Boats they are mapping more of our rivers and in greater detail than was previously possible. We are pleased to be able to support their work," he said.
