Online Ponds in Riseholme, United Kingdom
Year of issue
2026
Summary
Sponge Scapes case study UK05
Is the Riseholme site effective as a form of flood risk management using sponge measure?
Riseholme is a part of the catchment of the River Witham. The case study concerns the presence of 7 ponds, several different side channels, leaky barriers, in-channel and floodplain vegetation and their role in reducing flood peak and in allowing infiltration.
Photo Gallery
Location
53.1542, 0.3133
Project
SpongeScapes
Sector
Hydromorphology
Overview
Location of the project
Riseholme case study is located in the Anglian River Basin District (RBD), in the east of England. It is part of the catchment of the River Witham, which covers an area of approximately 3,000 km2 and a population of around 375,000 people. The catchment is predominantly rural and there is high grade agricultural land in the Fens. The catchment has a history of flooding. The site is an example of the unique chalk streams. It is part of the Riseholme College Campus which is part of the University of Lincoln.
Sponge measures implemented in the case study
Ponds and scrapes
Objectives
Our objective is to better understand how the ponds allow for infiltration and reduce flood peaks making the site effective at managing flooding downstream. There is also an interest in how management (e.g., vegetation trimming) might affect sponge functions.
Involved partners
| Comments |
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| Stakeholders include the Environment Agency (case owner), education and research institutes (University of Lincoln, UKCEH), local Communities (Riseholme), Private sector (landowners, farmers) and inhabitants. |
Site Information
Climate Zone
Cool temperate moist
Design and Implementation
Project scale
Micro
Project area
400
Project area specifications
The Riseholme site in particular is situated on a Jurassic limestone aquifer. This aquifer within Lincolnshire is quite shallow. Notably high groundwaters tend to be seasonally driven.
Policy and Governance
Part of a wider plan
Yes
Public consultation
No
Has contractual arrangements
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Monitoring parameters
Available data include monitoring precipitation, water levels and flows in and out of online ponds since 2018, where the case owner is the UK Environment Agency. Calibrated hydraulic and geomorphic models are available. A combination of low-cost and high-tech monitoring efforts and the 2023 change of online pond vegetation management will allow before/after comparison of Sponge function (and co-benefits).
Impact Assessment Methodology
Performance impact estimation information
Available data include monitoring precipitation, water levels and flows in and out of online ponds since 2018, where the case owner is the UK Environment Agency. Calibrated hydraulic and geomorphic models are available. A combination of low-cost and high-tech monitoring efforts and the 2023 change of online pond vegetation management will allow before/after comparison of Sponge function (and co-benefits).