Flooding at Bear Mead 10 Feb 2009.

Three days of heavy snow, which was melting caused the water table to rise to 220. Three days later, 39 mms of rain in 24 hours caused Bear Mead to flood 24 hours later. Peak flood was R=376, a height not seen since 2005 (Flood-1).

29 Jan - 26 Feb 2009       Heavy snow melting    FLOOD-8

An interesting way of discovering that the peak of the Flood was R=376. In 2008 a new house was built close to Canford Bridge. At R=355 and 0957 on 11 Feb 09, a distant photo of the house was taken from the South bridge approaches. R=355 was measured from the scale at Eyebridge 27 minutes earlier. Enlargement of the photo revealed that the water had just reached a wall of the house, and since the last meaurement at 0015 the same day had been higher. The "wet mark" on the bricks appeared to be 3 brick courses higher than R=355. Assuming each brick course was 7cms high, this indicated a maximum water height of R=355+(3x7)=376. This is unusually high, and would account for the 90% Floodplain coverage observed. The high point may have occurred about 0500 hours.

Telephoto of house built 2008 close to Canford Bridge.

Enlargement showing flood level, brick courses and wet mark.

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