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<p>The Government’s flood risk management work focuses on where it delivers the greatest
benefit to people and property. Dredging and other work to improve the river channel’s
ability to carry increased flow (conveyance) often forms an important part of the
Environment Agency’s (EA’s) maintenance regime. However the effectiveness of dredging
in managing flood risk varies substantially for each stretch of river, depending on
local conditions, and can actually make flooding worse if flows are quickened to towns
and villages downstream. The EA assesses its value on a location-by-location basis,
in consultation with local communities and organisations such as Internal Drainage
Boards (IDBs) where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>The merits of dredging to tackle flooding
in South Yorkshire are limited. The surrounding land and bed of the lower reaches
of the river Don are flat with a very low gradient, meaning water drains slowly, and
they are at or below sea level, which further slows drainage. If riverbeds were dredged
lower than sea level, they would simply fill with water and would not reduce flood
levels.</p>
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