Ground Water Information & Flooding

The Floodwatch Working Group of the Parish Council monitors groundwater information at various points through the Parish and the published data from the borehole at Vernham Dean.

At the start of February 2021, groundwater levels were high but stable and the river Swift flowed well through the Parish.  The river dried up as anticipated (although some water remained in the river at St Mary Bourne and beyond throughout the summer of 2021).

As we move through autumn (2nd October), we are beginning to experience rainfall, but we would not expect any groundwater flooding as a result of any rise in levels just yet.  Therefore, the Environment Agency deployment trigger point has not yet been reached at Vernham Dean, or other points throughout the Bourne Valley.  The EA publishes levels and warnings which are available here.

There is also no ground water from the Netherton valley road.  Faccombe Estate take regular readings from the Netherton well during the autumn & winter.

Back in February 2021 the water level was at 20.8m below ground. 

Please contact the Clerk if you have any questions or concerns about groundwater flooding.  The Parish Council is supported by Test Valley Borough Council, which provides sandbags to help protect residents in the most vulnerable homes when the situation worsens, and more widespread if problems develop.  Flood mitigation work has been carried out on Dene Green. For future reference, you should read through the guidance below on what practical actions you can take to prepare if and when your home is at risk of ground water flooding.

The latest information from the Environment Agency on groundwater can be found here

You can also see the new data for rainfall and river levels here 

You can sign up for flood alerts here

The latest data for the ground water levels at Vernham Dean can be found here.

Groundwater levels for Hampshire & Sussex, and the latest briefings can be found here