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| north east climate change adaptation | |||||||
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Here you will learn about the adaptation approaches that can be used to reduce the impacts expected from climate change by the 2050s on groundwater and mine water breakouts.
The relatively modest risks associated with changes in the regime of natural groundwater flow systems under future climate conditions suggests that relatively little adaptation will be necessary. Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the main regional aquifers will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. The only element of the impact assessment meriting further investigation is the possibility of reductions in slope stability where sand and gravel aquifers intercept steep valley sides. It is suggested that an inventory of areas at risk be drawn up, by a combination of interpretation of existing geological information and brief walkover surveys of parts of the Wear and Tyne valleys (focusing particularly on areas in which possible slope failures would have the potential to damage infrastructure such as major roads). On this basis, it ought to be possible to identify which, if any, of the identified areas would benefit from preventative engineering works (e.g. enhanced slope drainage; localised re-profiling). Adaptation to any potential increased risk of mine water outbreak is difficult given the number of existing discharges in the region and unpredictable nature of outbreak events. Coal Authority-maintained pumping operations in western and central parts of the coalfield in the region will continue to limit outbreak risk in these areas. Widespread monitoring of water levels behind existing discharges (to assess for any evidence of blockage) is unfeasible due to the sheer number of mine waters in the region. Monitoring of some discharges is currently undertaken by the UK Government’s Coal Authority and at such sites indicators of outbreak (e.g. rapidly rising groundwater levels behind point of discharge) should facilitate preventative works where deemed essential. A collation and review of mine water outbreak incidents across the region (and in the North Pennines area particularly) will assist in highlighting main areas of risk of future outbreak. Such an exercise is currently taking place as part of a national assessment of abandoned non-coal mine discharges in the UK for Defra. This exercise will also include an inventory of potentially unstable metal mine spoil heaps.
| Northumberland | Tyne & Wear | County Durham | Tees Valley |
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Fell Sandstone aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. Continued pumping operations (e.g. at Blyth and Whittle) and ongoing monitored groundwater rebound (e.g. Ellington / Lynemouth areas) in coastal areas should minimise the risk of major outbreak from the Coal Measures in the east of the county. Some sensitive wetland sites already have adaptation for prolonged drought (e.g. boreholes for exploiting groundwater at Newham Fen SAC). Natural England tends to be aware of threats of dehydration after recent severe droughts. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting specific areas at highest risk of outbreak.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. An inventory of areas susceptible to slope failure as a result of groundwater discharge on steep valley sides (from geological maps and walkover survey) would assist in highlighting where any remedial works (e.g. slope re-profiling or additional drainage) are required. Continued pumping operations (e.g. at Kibblesworth) should minimise the risk of major outbreak from the Coal Measures in coastal areas of the district. Additional monitoring of mine water discharges in western parts of the district where Coal Measures outcrop may aid prediction of outbreak events. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting specific areas at highest risk of outbreak.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. An inventory of areas susceptible to slope failure as a result of groundwater discharge on steep valley sides (from geological maps and walkover survey) would assist in highlighting where any remedial works (e.g. slope re-profiling or additional drainage) are required. Continued pumping operations in eastern areas should minimise the risk of major outbreak from the Coal Measures in coastal areas of the district. Additional monitoring of mine water discharges in the central parts of the district where Coal Measures outcrop may aid prediction of outbreak events. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting specific areas at highest risk of outbreak.
Additional monitoring of ironstone mine water discharges may aid prediction of outbreak events. Collation and review of data relating to ironstone mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting specific areas at highest risk of outbreak. Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change.
For an overview of the adaptation for your local area please click on the list/map below.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Fell Sandstone will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. Continued pumping operations (e.g. at Whittle) should eliminate the risk of major outbreak from the Coal Measures in the one of its most sensitive areas. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting whether there is any site at heightened risk of outbreak in the area.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Fell Sandstone will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. The most sensitive wetland site in the district already has adaptation for prolonged drought (borehole for exploiting groundwater at Newham Fen SAC). Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting whether there is any heightened risk of outbreak in the area.
Continued Coal Authority pumping at Bates should limit uncontrolled surface mine water discharges in the district.
Continued monitoring of rebound in coastal areas will inform future management (e.g. preventative pumping).
Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. Monitoring of water levels and flora at Hell’s Kettles will allow impact assessments to be made, although the site is not thought to be threatened by climate change.
Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk.
An inventory of areas susceptible to slope failure as a result of groundwater discharge on steep valley sides (from geological maps and walkover survey) would assist in highlighting where any remedial works (e.g. slope re-profiling or additional drainage) are required. Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. If pumping operations continue at Horden (and / or Dawdon in the future), uncontrolled surface discharges are not expected to commence in coastal areas due to the westward flow of groundwater in this area induced by pumping. This should mitigate against any major mine water outbreak forced by climate change effects (e.g. multi-day rainfall events) in the District.
Additional monitoring of shallow drift mine water discharges may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change.
Not applicable
Pumping operations in surrounding Districts should minimise the risk of major mine water outbreak from the large interconnected workings beneath the District.
Continued Coal Authority pumping at Bates should limit uncontrolled surface mine water discharges in the north of the district.
Additional monitoring of ironstone mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in highlighting sites susceptible to outbreak and alert authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. Pumping operations in surrounding Districts should minimise the risk of major mine water outbreak from the large interconnected workings beneath the District.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Sherwood sandstone aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change.
Continued monitoring and careful exploitation of the Permian aquifer will alert resource managers as to any future diminution as a result of climate change. If pumping operations continue in the central Wear catchment, uncontrolled surface discharges are not expected to commence in coastal areas due to the westward flow of groundwater in this area induced by pumping. This should mitigate against any major mine water outbreak forced by climate change effects (e.g. multi-day rainfall events) in the District.
Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting whether there is any site at heightened risk of outbreak in the area, particularly in the North Pennines metal mines. Inventories of metal mine spoil heap sites at risk of collapse will assist in directing and prioritising any necessary remedial works.
Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting whether there is any site at heightened risk of outbreak in the area, particularly in the North Pennines metal mines. Inventories of metal mine spoil heap sites at risk of collapse will assist in directing and prioritising any necessary remedial works.
Continued Coal Authority pumping at Bates should limit uncontrolled surface mine water discharges in the south east of the district.
Additional monitoring of mine water discharges from shallow sub-surface workings may assist in alerting authorities of potential blockage and subsequent outbreak risk. Collation and review of data relating to mine water outbreaks may assist in highlighting whether there is any site at heightened risk of outbreak in the area, particularly in the North Pennines metal mines. Inventories of metal mine spoil heap sites at risk of collapse will assist in directing and prioritising any necessary remedial works.
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