Flood risk across Derbyshire
Derbyshire's rivers fall steeply off the Peak District, so river flooding can come quickly to towns such as Matlock, Bakewell and Derby. Reservoir risk is real here too: in August 2019 part of the spillway at Toddbrook Reservoir collapsed and much of Whaley Bridge was evacuated. Surface water affects towns and villages across the county.
Flood zones only show river and sea flooding, and they ignore flood defences. Surface water and reservoir risk aren’t part of the zones – check them on the Environment Agency’s long-term flood risk service, or get the full report, which covers every source.
Rivers that shape local flood risk
Main rivers are managed by the Environment Agency. Smaller watercourses and drainage are the responsibility of Derbyshire County Council and landowners.
River Derwent – Matlock, Belper and Derby
River Wye – Buxton and Bakewell
River Dove – The Staffordshire border near Ashbourne
River Trent – The south of the county near Long Eaton
River Goyt – Whaley Bridge and New Mills
River Rother – Chesterfield
Who manages flood risk here
Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council are the Lead Local Flood Authorities, responsible for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency manages main rivers and the sea, and issues flood warnings. Your district or borough council decides planning applications – and asks for a flood risk assessment in Flood Zones 2 and 3.
Getting a written answer for an address
The free check describes the area around your postcode. For a specific property, the full report checks your exact address against every flood dataset and gives you a dated PDF to share with your surveyor, conveyancer or insurer.
For planning decisions, your local council has the final say.
