Farming and flooding

Farming and flooding

"Most of the flooding in the Upper Thames Valley could be stopped if farming practices changed to reflect the topography and changes in weather patterns. More trees planted along contours. Tops of hills, a belt of trees half way down and trees along the rivers and streams. Ground with trees absorbs 60 times more rainwater than pasture and 100 times more than a ploughed field. When the flood waters are full of silts you know the fields are washing away year after year. We should be able to build carefully in flood plains and along water courses." Mathew Morton, local resident.

Matthew Morton