Hydrological and geomorphological challenges of water transfers in East Anglia, UK in the context of climate change

Abstract

Essex in East Anglia is regarded as the driest county in the UK, receiving only half of the national average annual rainfall. In a normal year only half of the water supplied to households in the Essex is sourced from within the county. In a dry year, up to one-third of the required water is derived from the Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer Scheme which has transferred water from Denver in Norfolk in the north to the River Stour in Essex since 1972. A low average rainfall, weather extremes and rising water demand create significant challenges to fulfil the needs of growing population that is set to rise in the future. This paper explores how the flows enhanced by the water transfer impact the river discharge and the river channel morphology in the context of climate change.