Closing flood gates
Due to the differing levels, all flood gates around Stockbridge and Murrayfield have different thresholds at which they need to be closed. We have a closure sequence and several factors which the allocated flood co-ordinator for the flood event will consider. These include:
- Threshold trigger flow
- River levels
- Predicted peak flows - informed by SEPA
- Upcoming weather forecast and radar images
- Time to erect gate
- Number of staff required to erect
- Location
Closing gates will be prioritised along with other emergency response activities.
A SEPA flood alert doesn’t mean gates have to be closed. A flood alert is an early sign of potential flooding and is to remain alert and vigilant. When a flood alert is received, we will make early preparations for potential action. The threshold triggers for closing flood gates allow enough time to respond.
A SEPA flood warning advises that flooding is imminent and we may begin to close some flood gates. This does not mean that we will close all gates. We will continue to review the relevant sources of information and act.
Our procedures are based on complex modelling and years of experience to identify the time necessary to close each flood gate. Each flood gate requires closing at different river levels, which is why during a flood event you may see some closed, and others not. Flood gates can only be operated by trained individuals who have access to all the necessary information required to make decisions on when they need to be opened and closed. For this reason we don’t allow members of the public to operate flood gates.
Edinburgh flood schemes are designed for a 1:200 year flood event and include an allowance for climate change. This means that some of the trigger levels for the gates are higher than flows ever experienced in the Water of Leith. Therefore some gates only require to be closed in very extreme events.
