The Future of Flood Defence: Innovations in Water Control Systems

Building Resilience: Innovative Flood Control Solutions for a Changing Climate

Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events. Sea level rise, increased rainfall intensity and more violent storms are threatening coastal areas and increasing the risk of coastal and river flooding. This is a challenge we must face together.

In recent years, major hydrological events have caused devasting effects on major cities and rural areas. In 2024 alone, thousands of people were evacuated from their homes in Southern Germany after heavy rainfall caused riverbanks to break. In Buenos Aries, Argentina, severe storms saw 140 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. And flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Afghanistan claimed hundreds of lives. Rising flood risk impacts all of us.

Fugro's global team of hydrology experts work alongside environmental management teams to analyse at risk areas and put preventative measures in place. Our aim is to prevent flooding and reduce the devastating impact this has on communities.

Why Flood Prevention Matters More Than Ever

Not only are we seeing an increase in flood frequency, but the climate impact is causing the severity of flooding to have a greater impact on communities. Coastal areas are affected by storm surges and high winds coinciding with high tides and increased sea levels. Rural areas are affected by fluvial flooding, with rising groundwater and overflowing rivers impacting property and agriculture.

The economic impact is widespread, with infrastructure, supply chains and businesses at risk of flood damage. These floods have long-lasting impacts, increasing public and private costs. The social impact of flooding can be devastating, with loss of life and property predicted to increase if preventative measures are not put in place.

Urbanisation and Infrastructure Pressure

With these risks, urban planners are faced with increasing pressure to ensure infrastructure is built to withstand severe flooding. This involves improved drainage, implementing impermeable surfaces and incorporating green infrastructure into development projects. Some areas enforce strict regulations to manage water flow and protect valuable areas.

The problem is that pre-existing infrastructure was not built to withstand this level of pressure. Existing drainage systems cannot handle the increasing demand as cities expand. Populations are expanding as people are living longer, predicted to reach over eleven billion by 2100.

The Science Behind Flooding

Water is constantly moving above, below and on the surface of Earth. The hydrological cycle explains how water evaporates or is transpired from plants into the atmosphere. It then cools, forming clouds (condensation). Water then falls back to Earth via precipitation, where it soaks into the ground (infiltration) replenishing groundwater or flows over the land (runoff) replenishing rivers, lakes, and oceans.

This cycle is a closed system - this means water is constantly recycled. It is the distribution of this water that is impacted by climate change and human activities. This affects us all differently, as some see increased drought whilst others become more flood prone areas. Whatever the challenge, we are witnessing an increased risk of flooding in urban, rural, and coastal areas.

Riverine/Fluvial Flooding: In riverside and rural communities, there is increased flood risk due to rivers and streams exceeding the capacity of their natural or manufactured channels.

Coastal Flooding: Rising sea level combined with storm surges and high winds can cause low lying areas to become submerged by seawater.

Pluvial Flooding: Even urban areas, such as cities, must implement flood protection strategies as increasing rainfall overwhelms drainage systems and the grounds capacity to absorb water.

Risk Modelling and Mapping

Flood mapping is essential for identifying vulnerable areas and planning effective mitigation strategies. By combining geospatial data from multiple sources, we can model floodwater movement and determine where preventative measures are needed.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a significant role by integrating and analysing data from lidar and bathymetric surveys. Lidar creates 3D surface models, helping to map floodplains, assess terrain susceptibility, and monitor coastal erosion over time. Bathymetric surveys reveal underwater topography, offering insight into sedimentation and water flow beneath the surface.

By combining this data with historical flood records, GIS enables real-time modelling to predict flood behaviour and assess potential impact on infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. This insight supports the design of targeted flood control systems.

What Is Flood Control?

Traditional flood control systems, such as dams, floodwalls, and levees, are still widely used today. They reduce risk by containing and controlling waterflow.

A modern flood control approach combines hard engineering with soft engineering, integrating sustainable drainage systems such as water butts, retention ponds and green roofs. These nature-based solutions complement physical flood prevention methods such as dikes, levees and floodwalls and take the pressure off existing infrastructure.

Whilst both methods have a place in modern day, climate change is causing the hydrological cycle to behave differently. Collaboration between local councils, water managers and spatial planners is the only way to manage the water cycle whilst controlling flooding.

Four Pillars of Effective Flood Prevention

Flood-prone areas must plan to reduce risk and safeguard infrastructure and communities. Effective prevention strategies centre on four key pillars:

Predict

Accurate flood prediction uses geospatial data, historical trends, and modelling to assess risk and guide preparedness.

Protect

Physical defences like levees and dams help manage water flow, while nature-based solutions can support long-term water cycle regulation.

Adapt

Communities need to adapt to changing conditions. Some, like Venice, have learned to live with regular flooding; others must now develop response plans as risks grow.

Recover

Recovery planning is critical. Floods can displace populations and disrupt essential services. A robust plan supports safety and rebuilding during and after high water events.

Structural vs. Non-Structural Solutions

Effective flood control aims to reduce the need for emergency response and recovery. While structural solutions manage water through engineered infrastructure, non-structural approaches offer alternative or complementary options, especially where large-scale construction is not feasible.

Structural solutions include dams, levees, and dikes that physically control water flow and prevent overflow. Dams create reservoirs for controlled release, while levees and dikes reinforce riverbanks to contain rising water.

Non-structural solutions focus on policy and natural processes. Land-use planning can restrict development in high-risk zones, and Natural Flood Management (NFM) uses tree planting, wetlands, and restored river meanders to slow and absorb runoff.

A balanced flood strategy combines both structural and non-structural measures for long-term resilience.

Foundations of Flood Defence

Engineers have long developed flood prevention strategies, from early methods like earth embankments, drainage ditches, and vegetation planting to contain water and prevent damage.

With industrialisation and a shifting hydrological cycle, larger-scale defences emerged. Dams and reservoirs managed excess water, while seawalls, groins, and floodwalls protected vulnerable coastal and inland areas. Despite these efforts, flood risk continues to rise, and engineers are working to keep communities safe.

Dikes and Levees: Still Relevant?

Levees protect riverbanks from flooding, while dikes reclaim low-lying land from the sea. Originally made from earth or clay, these structures aimed to contain water in the preindustrial era.

As flood risks intensified, modern levees and dikes evolved. Now built with concrete and other durable materials for longer-lasting protection. They offer immediate defence, especially vital near critical infrastructure facing storm surges, sea level rise, and swollen rivers.

However, their construction and upkeep demand significant resources - time, expertise, and funding. Over time, increased water flow and erosion also mean ongoing maintenance is essential.

Pumping Stations and Drainage Networks

Pump stations and drainage networks play a vital role in keeping low-lying areas a safe place to live and work. These systems work together to move excess water away from streets, buildings, and farmland, especially in regions where gravity alone is not enough.

Drainage networks collect surface and stormwater, directing it through pipes and canals to pump stations. The pumps then help water slowly drain into rivers, reservoirs, or the sea, preventing water from accumulating in vulnerable zones.

As part of broader flood mitigation strategies, these engineered systems are essential for protecting urban areas and infrastructure from rising water, particularly during heavy rainfall or high tides.

Why Innovation Is Essential in Flood Prevention

At Fugro, we combine conventional flood protection measures with innovative solutions designed to work alongside each other. Early systems created to prevent flooding were based on outdated assumptions. Today, we use high-resolution flood mapping and modelling to understand how climate uncertainty is impacting our waters and what that means for flood protection strategies.

Data-Led Flood Management

Modern flood control depends on timely, accurate information. At Fugro, we combine digital twins, real-time sensors, and predictive analytics to track water movement and model flood scenarios with precision. This enables smarter decision-making—whether it is adjusting how water slowly drains from low-lying land or protecting buildings and infrastructure with flood warnings before flooding occurs.

As climate volatility increases, data-led flood mitigation helps keep communities a safer place. But to be truly effective, it must address five key challenges facing modern flood control:

1. Data scarcity – Many regions still lack real-time monitoring or historical records to inform planning.

2. Ageing infrastructure – Legacy systems were not designed for today’s climate extremes.

3. Urban density – Highly built environments leave little room for natural drainage.

4. Climate volatility – Sudden shifts in rainfall, sea level, and storm intensity strain existing defences.

5. Cross-jurisdictional coordination – Rivers and coastlines do not follow political boundaries, requiring joined-up governance.

By overcoming these barriers, data-driven systems can transform how we plan, respond, and adapt to increasing threat.

A Geo-data Led Approach to Flood Risk Mitigation

Site Investigation for Smart Planning

Site investigation is fundamental to identifying the most effective flood protection strategies. By collecting geotechnical data through soil sampling, hydrographic and geophysical surveys, alongside laboratory and in situ testing, we develop precise risk profiles that inform smarter infrastructure decisions.

Subsurface Modelling for Infrastructure Integrity

While understanding surface floodwater behaviour is crucial, assessing its impact below ground is equally important. Foundations and buried assets are particularly vulnerable to flood damage, making subsurface modelling an essential component of resilient flood defence planning.

Using techniques such as seismic surveys, we gather detailed information about underground conditions. This data reveals geological structures, like faults and folds, and material properties including porosity, permeability, and rock type. With these insights, we can design stronger flood defences, preserve or restore foundations, and safeguard critical infrastructure from flood-related damage.

Real-Time Monitoring and Early Warning Systems

VirGeo®, our advanced Geo-data management and analysis platform, delivers real-time insight into flood conditions, enabling faster response and targeted resilience.

By continuously tracking water levels, flow patterns, and defence performance during flood events, VirGeo® supports effective mitigation and maintenance strategies. Access to accurate, up-to-the-minute data empowers you to anticipate changing conditions and protect vulnerable assets proactively.

Coastal Zone Management with Bathymetric Data

Low-lying coastal regions face increasing threats as climate change alters ocean behaviour and accelerates erosion. Advanced marine lidar and bathymetric surveys enable high-resolution mapping of these dynamic landscapes over time, pinpointing areas most at risk of coastal erosion and flooding.

This detailed data underpins comprehensive flood protection plans that integrate both natural and engineered solutions. High-resolution coastal mapping is essential for identifying vulnerable zones, enabling immediate protective actions for at-risk communities, and supporting the restoration of natural processes where long-term resilience is required.

Working With Nature, Not Against It

Protecting and restoring natural systems helps slow and store floodwater. The best flood protection strategies combine nature-based solutions with engineered defences to reduce flood impacts effectively.

Green Infrastructure in Urban Environments

In cities, green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements, manages stormwater by mimicking natural processes. These features reduce runoff, relieve pressure on drainage systems, and support the water cycle while providing environmental and social benefits.

Restoring Natural Floodplains

Natural floodplains act as buffers by slowing and storing floodwater, reducing its flow downstream. Reconnecting rivers to their floodplains can help manage overflow more naturally, restoring a key part of the landscape’s flood resilience.

Mangroves, Wetlands and Coastal Buffers

Coastal wetlands, mangroves, and buffers trap sediment and absorb wave energy, protecting shorelines from rising water and storms. Restoring these habitats strengthens natural defences that have often been degraded by human activity.

Combing Natural Flood Defences with Artificial Protection

While natural flood management supports biodiversity and water quality, it requires time and space to develop and cannot provide immediate flood protection. Engineered solutions like levees and dikes remain essential for rapid, reliable defence, especially to safeguard critical infrastructure.

The Role of Collaboration in the Prevention of Flooding

This impacts all of us. It is no longer down to flood action group's to monitor and implement strategies to absorb water and protect us from flooding. A collaborative approach involving government, utility, stakeholder, and communities is our best bet to tackle climate change and build flood resilience.

Working with Governments and Utilities

Like in most risk-based scenarios, we look to governing bodies to outline policies that protect our communities first. We are already seeing this is countries such as the UK, where the Mayor of London is proposing an annual 'stormwater charge' for anyone that has paved driveways (not using permeable solutions).

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Resilience

Green infrastructure, such as green roofs and rain gardens, can be implemented on a building or household basis. By educating on the risks and offering advice to building managers, stakeholders, and the community on their benefits, more of these structures can be implemented throughout towns and cities.

Open Data and Transparent Decision-Making

All the above starts with awareness. By offering open data and making flood maps publicly accessible, it allows everyone involved to understand the threat and make informed decisions. Without this data, it is harder to outline policies and get stakeholders and communities on board with future.

The Next Generation of Flood Prevention Tools

Emerging technologies like AI modelling, autonomous sensing, and digital twins are redefining how we predict, monitor, and reduce flood risk.

AI-Powered Predictive Modelling

By modelling the hydrological cycle, we can predict how water is likely to behave under worst-case scenarios. New tools now integrate AI-powered predictions that draw on historic flood data and Geo-data from site investigations to identify the properties and areas most at risk.

While still a developing approach, Fugro has already applied it in Bad Homburg, Germany, creating a visual simulation of water runoff during extreme weather events. This gave stakeholders the insight they needed to develop and implement more effective flood management strategies.

Remote and Autonomous Sensing Solutions

As conditions become more dynamic, remote surveying is playing a growing role in flood response. Autonomous solutions enable faster data capture and reduce the need for personnel in the field. This not only improves safety but also allows for rapid assessments after major flood events.

Technologies such as drone-based data collection and remote marine surveys deliver a clear picture of damage to infrastructure and foundations. This supports fast, insight-led decision-making on recovery and repair.

Digital Twins of Infrastructure

Digital twin technology is reshaping how we plan for and respond to increasing risk by creating dynamic virtual models of the real world, coastlines, rivers, urban infrastructure. Digital twins let us simulate how flood scenarios might unfold under different conditions.

At Fugro, we use digital twins to combine high-resolution Geo-data with real-time inputs like rainfall, tide, and river flow. This helps authorities and planners explore 'what if' scenarios: What happens if sea levels rise faster than expected? How would a 1-in-100-year storm impact nearby buildings? What defences would hold, and where would pressure points emerge?

With this insight, we can test the resilience of infrastructure, optimise response strategies, and strengthen long-term flood mitigation, all in a risk-free virtual environment. Digital twins bring clarity to uncertainty, supporting better decisions before, during, and after a flood.

From Plans to Action

Flood prevention strategies are only as strong as their real-world implementation. Turning data into decisions, and decisions into lasting protections, requires sustained investment, policy alignment, and a shared understanding of risk.

Funding and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Preventative flood measures often face budget constraints, yet the long-term value far outweighs reactive spending. Green infrastructure, levees, and early warning systems reduce damage, protect lives, and preserve public assets.

In contrast, post-disaster recovery costs, including rebuilding homes, roads, and public services, continue to rise. In 2022 alone, global flood damage exceeded $80 billion. Governments must weigh the upfront cost of resilience against the far greater cost of inaction.

Policy and Regulation Gaps

Many planning codes still operate on outdated climate assumptions, failing to reflect today’s hydrological extremes. Building regulations, zoning laws, and land use policies need to evolve to meet the realities of sea level rise and intense rainfall.

In countries like the Netherlands, flood-resilient urban planning is embedded in policy, but this level of foresight is still the exception, not the rule. Closing the regulatory gap is key to mainstreaming flood resilience.

Bridging the Knowledge Divide

Effective flood mitigation depends on shared understanding across engineers, planners, and at-risk communities. It is not just about designing the right interventions; it is about making sure the right people have access to the right information.

Fugro supports this by providing accurate flood risk modelling through an open-source platform, helping ensure that everyone, from city officials to residents, understands their exposure and can act accordingly. With better visibility comes better decisions, and a stronger collective response to climate pressure.

Innovating for a Water-Resilient World

As climate change accelerates and flood risks intensify, traditional defences alone can no longer keep pace. Innovation in flood control spanning digital twins, advanced hydrological modelling, adaptive infrastructure, and nature-based solutions, is essential to safeguard communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. The future of water resilience hinges on integrating science, technology, and local knowledge to design systems that not only withstand extreme events but adapt and evolve with them.

Fugro is committed to supporting this transformation. By delivering high-resolution Geo-data, predictive analytics, and actionable insights, we empower engineers, planners, and decision-makers to build smarter, more resilient infrastructure. Our open-access data and collaborative approach are helping bridge the gap between risk awareness and climate action, ensuring tomorrow’s water challenges are met with foresight and precision.

Final Thought

“The flood risks of tomorrow demand bold solutions today. With the right data, tools and partnerships, prevention is possible.”