Essex County Council has received funding from the Environment Agency for the natural flood management project.
Leaky dams are being built in Hockley Woods, Rochford, to reduce the risk of flood water reaching residents’ homes.
The dams will be made of natural wood and laid within water channels. This will allow steady water flow to pass through normally while obstructing high water flow.
Essex County Council has received £91,000 from the Environment Agency to complete the dams.
Hockley Woods was chosen as one of 40 projects – out of more than 600 put forward nationally – to receive the government support from a £25 million grant scheme.
The scheme seeks to improve the UK’s flood resilience through natural flood management projects.
Monitoring techniques and dam locations are currently being assessed in Hockley Woods, with construction expected to begin in 2025.
Councillor Peter Schwier, Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling at Essex County Council, said: “With one of the longest coastlines in the country, Essex is particularly vulnerable to flooding. This year, East Anglia also saw its wettest February since 1836.
“As climate change continues to affect our weather, it’s important we look to mitigate these effects through innovate methods. The leaky dams in Hockley Woods will make the area more resilient to flooding and protect nature in the area.”
