Our Flood Alleviation Schemes - Rothes

Dallas Elgin Forres Lhanbryde New Mill

Rothes has a long history of flooding. On numerous occasions properties have been flooded from a combination of the Back Burn, the Burn of Rothes and the Black Burn.

The £25 million Rothes Flood Alleviation Scheme was carried out to alleviate flooding from these burns, and was completed in May 2011 - £2.4 million under budget.

A flood event in August 2014 tested the scheme, and it is estimated that it prevented flooding to around 200 residential and 18 commercial properties, avoiding damages of around £6.5 million.

The works comprised of:

• Channel widening
• Replacement of existing bridges
• Reinforced concrete flood walls and mini-piled foundation
• Earthworks embankments
• Bank protection works to prevent future scour

The works were programmed to suit various environmental constraints, including salmon spawning.

The scheme provides a standard of flood protection of 1 in 100 years plus an allowance for climate change.